On Sunday, June 26, 2016, the Sacramento Police Department deployed uniformed officers to assist with a pre-planned event taking place on the California State Capitol grounds.

The event, organized by the Traditionalist Worker Party, was permitted by the California Highway Patrol and scheduled to be held on the Capitol grounds from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

The Sacramento Police Department and its state partners had been made aware of a counter-protest effort organized by a local anti-fascist group.   Recently, other events across the country that have been attended by similarly-affiliated groups have been punctuated by violence.

In anticipation of the potential for unrest, the Sacramento Police Department deployed over 100 officers from different specialty units from the department.

During the course of the protest, it quickly escalated and turned violent.  This violence prompted officers to physically intervene to stop anyone else from being injured.  The majority of these violent altercations took place on the State Capitol grounds which are within the jurisdiction of the California Highway Patrol.   The Sacramento Police Department is aware of two assaults that took place within the city jurisdiction and is currently investigating those incidents.  All of the people injured are expected to survive and no arrests have been made at this time.

During the event, Sacramento Police Officers were approached by a citizen who located a loaded handgun on the State Capitol grounds.  The firearm was turned over to police custody and was booked as evidence.

The Sacramento Police Department is dedicated to insuring that all persons be able to exercise their constitutionally protected right to free speech and will continue to work alongside its law enforcement partners at the California Highway Patrol to assist them during future permitted events.