Eric Abril sentenced to life in prison for deadly Roseville park shootout, kidnapping
A man who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in connection with a shootout at a popular Roseville park was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole on Wednesday.
Eric Abril, 38, pled guilty earlier this month to first-degree murder and admitted the murder was committed in the commission of a kidnapping, the Placer County District Attorney's Office said. He also admitted to attempted murder of a peace officer and kidnapping.
James MacEgan was killed and his wife, Patty MacEgan, was wounded in the shootout at Mahany Park in 2023. Patty was then taken hostage, with a video showing Abril using her as a human shield.
The shootout stemmed from the California Highway Patrol serving a high-risk search warrant at the park in connection with a freeway shooting in Sacramento County.
When officers tried to confront Abril, he began shooting at the officers, who fired back as Abril ran toward a batting cage. Children at the park rushed into the library, where they went on lockdown for nearly two hours.
One of the officers was struck by gunfire, but their ballistic vest stopped the bullet.
Abril then encountered the MacEgans hiding in a nearby field, where prosecutors said he murdered James and took Petty hostage, shooting her in the back and seriously wounding her.
Abril was taken into custody and later escaped, which led to a 33-hour manhunt.
In a powerful moment in court, Patricia MacEgan spoke about forgiving the man who killed her husband and took her hostage.
"He needs to know he is forgiven by me, so that he can start to heal," she said. "Everybody deserves forgiveness. It doesn't mean I'll forget what happened. It doesn't mean that I'll ever not be sad about what happened."
Abril's sentencing comes just three weeks after he changed his plea from not guilty by reason of insanity to guilty. Placer County Chief Assistant District Attorney David Tellman described how that decision came together.
"We were about three weeks from trial, and at that time, there's usually some back and forth with the defense, and through that back and forth came this resolution," Tellman said.
For the MacEgan family, this moment marks a step toward moving forward.
"I hope [Abril's] time will be spent with some prayer and seeking to live a better life, that's all," Patricia MacEgan said.
Following the sentencing hearing, the Roseville Police Department released body camera footage of the incident.