Suspect in April 6 fatal Roseville park shooting arraignment hearing continued

One hostage victim is dead and one other is in an unknown condition after an active shooter situation April 6 in Roseville, according to Roseville Police Capt. Kelby Newton. The incident started at approximately 12:30 p.m. April 6 when a California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer tried to serve a warrant to Eric J. Abril of Roseville, Newton said. The Roseville Police Department responded to assist a CHP Task Force Officer after "shots fired" was broadcast over the police radio. CHP confirmed its Officer, Matthew Hiatt, was struck by gun shots at Mahany Park off Pleasant Grove Boulevard and Woodcreek Oaks Boulevard. Placer County court documents said that the suspect used a 10mm handgun. CHP, Roseville Police Department, city of Roseville, Parks and Recreation and the Roseville Fire Department officials responded to the scene. A Roseville Police Department press release said that firefighters at Fire Station 5, located in Mahany Park, heard active gunfire. They called for additional resources, exited the station, moved the wounded CHP officer inside and provided medical care before the officer was transported to a local hospital. The suspect fled the scene, ran through Mahany Park and took two civilian hostages, James MacEgan of Roseville and his wife, Patricia MacEgan, near the greenbelt area, according to law enforcement. CHP Officer Ricardo Ortiz said that Abril was approached at the park with a warrant to search Abril's vehicle and residence, not an arrest warrant. "Abril was wanted for questioning in connection to a freeway shooting in Sacramento," Ortiz said. Ortiz said he didn't know the details of the Sacramento shooting but it could have added to why Abril ran. Gold Country Media asked Ortiz why law enforcement made contact with Abril at the park and how they knew he was there. "This is under administrative investigation so as of now, that information is confidential," Ortiz said. An administrative investigation is standard whenever there is an officer-involved shooting to ensure that proper protocols were followed, according to Ortiz. Roseville Police said both adult hostages were shot by the suspect. James MacEgan was pronounced deceased at the scene and Patricia MacEgan's condition is unknown. Abril sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital, according to the Roseville Police Department. He was booked into Placer County Jail on Friday night. Newton said that "it was a rapidly escalating situation" and that this is an ongoing investigation at the April 6 press conference. While the activity was in progress, Roseville Parks and Recreation and Martha Riley Community Library staff notified park visitors and locked down the nearby indoor facilities (Martha Riley Community Library and Roseville Sports Complex) and pool to protect park visitors which included 33 children attending spring break camps, according to Roseville Police Department. The library and sports complex are located next door to Mahany Park. A 15-year old witness from the Roseville Sports complex told Gold Country Media on April 6 that he and other visitors were on lock-down for about an hour. "I was just playing basketball and heard the gunshots," the witness said. "It was pretty scary. Roseville is one of the safest places. I wouldn't have expected something like that to happen here." Maddie McVane, who said she lives a few blocks away, was grocery shopping at the Raley's across from Mahany Park when the shooting started. "When I went into Raley's, I didn't notice anything," McVane said. "By the time I came out a few minutes later, the streets were blocked off and there were police everywhere. It's amazing to see how fast everyone responded." Martha Riley Community Library and Roseville Sports Complex spokesperson Pam Allen said staff went into action quickly after being alerted of the nearby activity. "Our staff share a floor with the Fire Department administration so we heard immediately. We locked the doors and kept people away from the windows," Allen said. "We train for these types of situations but we always hope we never have to use it." Allen said there were nearly 100 people inside of the library and 40 at the sports complex. She said that city staff were shaken up afterward but have been provided with counselors and other on-site resources. "We're asking library visitors to not ask staff about what happened because every time they do, staff has to relive it," Allen said. No city staff or individuals using the indoor facilities were injured. Children from the camps were reunited with their parents at nearby Quail Glen Elementary School. "I want to thank the parks maintenance, library and recreation staff for acting quickly to notify playground visitors and locking down our buildings. We train for this type of incident, but truly hope to never have to use that training," said Roseville City Manager Dominick Casey. "Roseville Police and Fire departments train regularly for all kinds of incidents in case they come to our city, like today," said Roseville Police Chief Troy Bergstrom. "That training helped contain the situation so there was no additional loss of life." Mahany Park softball fields, baseball fields and dog park were closed Friday. "On behalf of the Roseville City Council and City employees, we extend and offer our support and condolences to the victims, their families, all who witnessed this tragic incident and those who responded," said Roseville Mayor Bruce Houdesheldt. "Roseville is known as a safe and caring community that looks out for one another. Times like this are when we are at our strongest and best." While the incident was unfolding at the park, the Roseville Police Department confirmed, Abril's mother was arrested at the residence that she allegedly shares with him near Mahany Park. CHP confirmed that there was a search warrant for her residence. However, details of her arrest or the warrant have not yet been released. Lincoln resident Ray Birge said he worked as a tactical commander and supervised the hostage negotiation team for the Oakland Police Department for 22 years. He said what happened at the park was a reminder of why being a police officer is one of the toughest jobs in the world. "It hurt every retired, current, and future officer," Birge said. "I relived some of the things I went through. I know every officer and person involved or nearby that day will never forget what happened." As a tactical commander Birge said, he trained the hostage negotiators who assisted the S.W.A.T. team with high-risk search warrants. Birge said that "it's impossible to say what was going through Abril's mind" at the time of his alleged crimes. "A mentor once told me that once you start understanding what they're thinking when they do something like that, you might be in trouble yourself." Abril's prior criminal history On Sept. 22, 2008, Abril was convicted of resisting an executive officer with threats of violence and grand theft in Santa Clara, according to Placer County court documents. On Aug. 9, 2010, Abril was convicted of second degree burglary in Santa Clara, according to Placer County court documents. On July 3, 2013, Abril was convicted of carrying a concealed dirk or dagger which the penal code defines as a "stabbing weapon," according to Placer County court documents. On Feb. 10, 2014, Abril was convicted again of second degree burglary, this time in San Luis Obispo, according to court documents. On Sept. 25, 2015, Abril was convicted of knowingly and maliciously preventing or dissuading a witness or victim from attending or giving testimony at a trial, proceeding or inquiry authorized by law, according to Placer County court documents. His crimes were referred to in the documents as "serious or violent felonies." Court proceedings started An arraignment hearing for Abril scheduled for Monday was continued to 8:30 a.m. April 18 at the Placer County Superior Court. "A continuance just gives everyone a little more time to prepare for the case," said Placer County public information officer Stephanie Herrera on Monday afternoon. Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire summarized the charges at the hearing. "He's being charged with attempted murder on a police officer," Gire said. "He's also charged with the kidnapping of one of the victims, a murder of another victim and a number of firearm allegations." Gire also confirmed that Abril was wearing a bullet-proof vest when he was apprehended. "The investigation is still ongoing. As you can imagine, it was a large crime scene," Gire said. "Over time, some charges are added, some are deleted. I would expect to see some changes but what those are at this point, I couldn't say."