Makaylah Brent was 9 years old when she was killed on October 3, 2020, in a drive-by shooting at Mama Marks Park in North Sacramento. She was playing in the park when the shooter fired nine rounds into the area; Makaylah was struck and died instantly. Three other people were wounded, including a 7-year-old child.

Authorities identified the shooter as Laise Hands, who was said to have been attempting to kill a rival gang member. Hands was already in custody on a separate charge when he was linked to the park shooting and was charged with murder, attempted murder, assault with a semi-automatic weapon, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His prior strike conviction for assault with a semi-automatic firearm was raised during the case.

The community and Makaylah’s family urged action against ongoing gang violence after her death. Did anyone who knew Makaylah or who was at Mama Marks Park that day see or hear anything that could help explain what happened?