Innocent bystander killed in midtown shooting identified | Crime

SACRAMENTO, CA - A memorial stands just yards away from where an innocent bystander was killed in midtown Sacramento late Friday night.

The man caught in the crossfire has been identified as 32-year-old Joseph Long from Carmichael. He had just finished spending a night dancing with friends when he was gunned down in a midtown parking lot at the corner of 28th and J streets.

Police continue to look for the people behind the deadly shootout.

Friends and family say Joseph Long was a fun-loving guy who had a passion for dance.

Just after midnight Friday night, Long was walking two friends to their car. Police say two groups opened fire. Long was not involved in the fight, but he was hit by a round.

Those close to Long say he'll be greatly missed.

"He's a true dancer and it's a huge loss for our dance community because he was such a free spirit. We don't see a lot of that in dancers, we don't see enough of it. He was one of a kind. He was a true dancer, had the heart of a dancer  ...  and danced for all the right reasons and all different genres," said David Livingston, a friend and fellow dancer.

Sacramento police ask the person who may have been the intended target of the shooting to come forward to help them understand just how this happened. That person can remain anonymous.