Sacramento State police investigate shots fired in parking structure during football home opener

Hornet Stadium was placed under a shelter-in-place order Saturday night during Sacramento State's home opener as police said they investigated shots fired at a campus parking structure.

The Hornets hosted Mississippi Valley State and the game continued without stoppage. 

It comes as the Hornets played their first game as an FBS member and Coach Alonzo Carter made his Sacramento debut. The Hornets won 52-0 in front of a record-setting crowd for a home opener of more than 18,500 fans. 

As the game was being played, campus police asked people to avoid Parking Structure 3, located across the street from Hornet Stadium, due to the investigation around 7:15 p.m.

By about 8:10 p.m., police said the shelter-in-place was lifted and there was no ongoing threat. Police added that no injuries were reported. 

Sacramento State police originally said a suspect was detained, but later said the people detained were not involved in the incident. Police said there is still no ongoing threat and an investigation continues. 

An officer on the field at Hornet Stadium told CBS Sacramento that cars were shot.

Sacramento State campus police say the incident was unrelated to a nearby shooting overnight Saturday that injured four people.

Community advocate Berry Accius with Voice of the Youth told CBS Sacramento that one of his mentees witnessed the parking garage incident. By their account, it started as a fight between two groups of young men that escalated. 

"No one is exempt from gun violence. It can happen everywhere because too many of our young people have access to guns," said Accius. "I just don't want any bloodshed to happen on a school that's doing some great, phenomenal things." 

Accius asks Sacramento State officials to be more transparent about violent incidents on campus and to take them seriously. 

He says more security could be needed at football games, and the university should also consider a ski mask ban, as Accius says it is too often that young people are hiding behind a mask to engage in bad behavior. 

"If we allow this moment just to be swept under the rug, I promise you will be here again, and it will be a more tragic situation. And I hope that does not happen," said Accius. 

Sacramento State officials did not respond Monday to a request for comment on whether any security changes will be made for upcoming football games.