By US Media Group
In a shocking turn of events, Joseph Allen Davis, the man charged in the shooting at Davis park that left three victims wounded and sent chaos rippling through UC Davis’ highly anticipated Picnic Day, has pleaded not guilty. This plea comes as a Yolo Superior Court judge dismissed prosecutors’ requests to increase his bail during a hearing in Woodland on Wednesday.
At just 19 years old, Davis, identified as a member of the notorious Oak Park Bloods street gang, has a troubling history of gun-related offenses. Prosecutors painted a grim picture of Davis as a significant threat to public safety, detailing how he allegedly marched into a crowded park, armed with a loaded gun, before triggering a shootout that sent families and students fleeing for their lives. The incident, which unfolded on April 12, marred one of the city’s hallmark events, celebrating the University of California, Davis.
Law enforcement, including the Davis police and federal agents, worked tirelessly to gather evidence and restore a sense of security to a shaken community after the horrific incident. Davis was apprehended at his home in Sacramento on May 23, where officers reportedly seized an illegal assault-style rifle during the arrest.
Yolo County Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Palumbo emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “He put himself in the situation of a shootout where three individuals were shot. He’s a felon in possession of a firearm by a gang member in a park that was populated by people, including kids. He’s a public safety risk.” The prosecutor underscored that Davis, already on probation for a prior felony, faced additional gun charges stemming from a violent incident at a crowded Community Park in Davis last October.
Davis stands accused of five serious felony and misdemeanor charges related to the Picnic Day shooting, including felony possession of a weapon by a person previously convicted of a felony, and felony possession of an assault weapon. With a juvenile record that bars him from gun ownership until he turns 30, the stakes are undeniably high for Davis.
As he sat in court, wearing an oversized sweatshirt, Davis indicated to court personnel that he had yet to procure legal representation and was subsequently appointed a public defender for his defense.
Stay tuned for further developments in this ongoing legal saga as the community grapples with the fallout of this distressing event.
