A Halloween party at a California nightclub on Oct. 28, promoted as “The Purge” left seven people wounded from gunshots.
Police officers were called to the Sevilla Nightclub in Riverside just after midnight on Monday, the Riverside Police Department said. The caller said shootings happened both inside and outside the club, possibly following an altercation inside the club, reported KTLA.
Ryan Railsback, a police officer, said several people apparently got into a fight and soon exchanged gunfire.
Two shooting victims were found on the scene and five others were later identified after checking in at area hospitals to receive treatment for gunshot wounds. All seven victims were expected to survive.
Several evidence markers litter the ground outside the Sevilla Nightclub. @RiversidePolice detectives are still at the location processing the scene of what they're calling an attempted murder. pic.twitter.com/GVdae0LoYk
— Beatriz Valenzuela (@BeatrizVNews) October 29, 2018
The shooting happened as the nightclub hosted “The Purge at Sevillas” event. A Facebook posting for the event, which featured multiple hip-hop artists, was promoted on the club’s Facebook page but was deleted on Monday, reported ABC 7.
Sgt. Jayson Wood told the San Diego Union-Tribune that investigators were eying a possible link to area gangs, as the shooting may have been prompted by a clash between two gangs in the club.
The fact that most people inside the club were wearing costumes has led to difficulty in generating leads on suspects, Wood said. No arrests have been made as of yet.
Anyone with information was urged to contact the police at 951-353-7130 or 951-353-7134.
Horrible scene at Sevilla Nightclub in Riverside early this morning as someone opened fire. At least 7 people injured. One witness tells me people were on the ground being trampled as club goers rushed out. Personal belongings all over street. We’re live. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/NYKyMz6o89
— Gigi Graciette (@GigiGraciette) October 29, 2018
I was at Sevilla’s nightclub and they were shooting the place up. I lowkey freaked out. I’m glad my friends and I are okay and I love all my friends for calming me down while we were in there when shots went off.
— Marco (@marxq_) October 29, 2018
‘People started falling’
One man who was inside the club said that people started dropping to the floor once shots rang out, but some were confused and thought it was part of the event.
“People started falling to the ground, and I thought people were fighting or dancing at first,” the unidentified man said, reported CBS.
“And I turn around, and then people started shooting and then I ran behind the bar. I heard automatic gunshots, there was like 10 in a row.”
Twitter user Marco said he was inside the club when the shooting started. “I lowkey freaked out. I’m glad my friends and I are okay and I love all my friends for calming me down while we were in there when shots went off,” he wrote.
