Sunnyvale police are investigating a rare crime in its community.
A gang related shooting at Encinal Park near Corte Madera and Mary avenues that left one person dead and another victim wounded Saturday morning.
Saturday’s homicide is the first of the year in Sunnyvale, and according to public safety officials, the first deadly gang-related shooting since 2007.
Where it took place is also a surprise: A public park that people here call a family-friendly place, not a spot for gang violence.
A friendly, competitive soccer game is about as intense as it usually gets at Encinal Park in Sunnyvale. So word a man was shot to death and a woman wounded here stunned people.
“Rest in peace” is scrawled on the bench where it happened.
“It's pretty surprising because it doesn't happen very often – at all – in Sunnyvale," said Marc Sukke of Sunnyvale.
Local
NBC Bay Area has learned the two victims were with a group at the park late Friday night. Police said that another group was present at 2 a.m. Saturday.
The two victims were shot with a handgun.
"We believe about 6 to 8 gunshots were fired,” said Capt. Jeffrey Hunter of the Sunnyvale Public Safety Department.
"Some of the neighbors had gathered at the end of the street and one neighbor said 'yeah I heard automatic gunfire," said neighbor Bradford Black.
"This was a targeted situation and it wasn't random,” Hunter said.
The woman who was shot and treated at the hospital is expected to survive
