Watch CBS News

CHP officer hurt, hostage killed in Roseville shooting; suspect had taken 2 hostages

Roseville shooting: Ball field turned battlefield
Roseville shooting: Ball field turned battlefield 03:13

ROSEVILLE -- A hostage has died and two other people, including a California Highway Patrol officer, were hurt after a shooting in Roseville on Thursday. 

Roseville police say they got a report about a CHP officer being shot at Mahany Park near Pleasant Grove and Woodcreek Oaks boulevards around 12:30 p.m. 

More officers responded to the scene and the suspect began shooting at them, police say. Hostages were taken by the suspect, officers say. 

Those two hostages were shot by the suspect, police say; one of those citizens was pronounced dead at the scene. The other hostage is expected to survive their injuries. 

The suspect, identified by Roseville police on Friday as 35-year-old Eric Abril, then surrendered. The suspect did sustain gunshot wounds, police say -- with Roseville police revealing on Friday that officers and the suspect did exchange gunfire. 

Police say the CHP officer who was hurt was also taken to the hospital in stable condition. The officer was released from the hospital later Thursday night. 

Roseville Fire Station 5 was right next to the scene. CBS13 has learned that firefighters at the station put on tactical gear and got the injured CHP inside and started treatment. 

Two teens who were near the shooting told CBS13 they saw police yelling at the suspect and, a short time later, shots were fired. 

One resident says he heard three to four shots, and shortly thereafter, saw a police helicopter, saw ambulances, and police officers with guns drawn. He says they were headed towards a green area near Mahany Park. 

LISTEN: Police radio captures urgent search for Roseville gunman

A local fitness center and library were put on lockdown in response, the Roseville Parks, Recreation, & Events department said in a Facebook post. The fitness center is a sprawling sports complex at the edge of a large park with a gym, basketball court, and playground.

Police say there were 33 children attending spring break camps at the facility. 

scene of shooting in Roseville
Scene of the shooting in Roseville. 

Roseville police announced around 3 p.m. that the lockdown was lifted at the Mahany Park facilities and families were reunited with their children at Quail Glenn Elementary School.

Both the fitness center and library will be closed for the rest of the day. 

Police noted that there were no activities going on near the ball fields at Mahany Park during the incident. 

Parents who spoke to CBS13 described the chaotic scene in the aftermath of the shooting.

"I was trying to pick [my child] up and the roads were closed, and then she texts me that the employees knew what was happening but they didn't let the little ones know," one mother said.

Both the mayor and vice mayor of Roseville put out statements on their Facebook pages about Thursday's incident, saying that the city was shaken by the shooting.

"This type of incident is rare in Roseville, but not in our nation," wrote Mayor Bruce Houdesheldt. 

"These times call for us all to remain rooted in what grounds us-our families, faith, friends, being of service to others, along with kindness to others," wrote Vice Mayor Krista Bernasconi.

On Friday, Roseville police identified the hostage killed as 72-year-old James MacEgan. Police also noted that the other hostage who was hurt was MacEgan's spouse. 

The incident remains under investigation and Roseville police say they will release more information in the coming days. 

Roseville is a city of about 150,000 roughly 20 miles northeast of Sacramento.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.