Gun shots rang out at about 7:30 p.m. on Monday in the parking lot of the AM/PM minimart on the corner of 65th Street and 4th Avenue. The parking lot where the shooting occurred is adjacent to the Jefferson Commons apartment complex which houses approximately 729 residents, most of which are Sacramento State students.

The suspect, Gerald Collins, 27, was witnessed verbally fighting in a vehicle with his girlfriend along with her two kids, according to Public Information Officer Sgt. Justin Risley. Collins’ mother arrived on the scene and entered the vehicle and proceeded to join in the argument. Collins, who is not a Sac State student, then pulled out a handgun from under the seat and shot his mother in her right hip.

“The motive behind the shooting is unknown,” Risley said. “The suspect was seen walking and dropping the gun over a wall near the area, most likely in the Jefferson Commons complex.”

When police arrived at the scene of the crime they found the victim still in the suspect’s car with blood soaking through her pants. Police officers proceeded to barricade the AM/PM area and shut down traffic on 4th Avenue.

Collins remained at the scene of the crime walking around inside the barricaded area along with his girlfriend and her two kids.

Kevin Tanner, a Sac State student and resident of Jefferson Commons, was walking inside AM/PM to get a soda just after the police had enclosed the area.

“When I got to AM/PM, cops were searching all around for the suspect,” Tanner said. “I walked right by the shooter and (the) kids right before three or four cops tackled him and cuffed him on the ground.”

Many more apartment tenants and Sac State students began to gather around the crime scene. Senior Brandon Osborn saw numerous police cars around the area and decided to check out the scene of the crime himself.

Osborn said he saw officers with flashlights searching Jefferson Commons for evidence.

Risley believes that the suspect threw the loaded gun into Jefferson Commons property in hopes to hide the weapon. Collins, who was discharged November 2004 from parole, is being charged with assault with a deadly weapon, possession of an illegal weapon and child endangerment.

“When I heard all the police I thought nothing of it because I hear cops all the time around here,” freshman Jordan Legaspi said. “But when someone gets shot in my backyard its like, whoa! It’s a real eye opener.”

When contacted Tuesday morning, Jefferson Commons on-site manager was unaware of the incident.