Horrifying moment shooter opens fire near teenage boys competing in rowing race in Sacramento

A teenage rowing team narrowly escaped with their lives after a gunman opened fire on them during a race.

The group of nine rowers, aged 15 and 16, were competing in a regatta on the Sacramento River when they heard gunfire.

Terrifying video captured by one of the boy's moms shows the moment shots ring out during the race on April 20.

The panicked coxswain of Oakland Strokes can be seen whipping his head around to spot where the danger is coming from.

Several splashes are also seen in the water believe to be from where the bullets landed. 

A teenage rowing team narrowly escaped with their lives after a gunman opened fire on them during a race

The group of nine 15 and 16-year-olds were competing in a regatta on the Sacramento River when they heard gunfire

Initially the boys believed the noise to be from a BB gun, but on reviewing the footage they were stunned to realize they had come from a deadly weapon. 

'I was pretty shocked. I think all of us were. It's horrifying, to think in this peaceful, green setting, the final push of this race - to see and hear that,' parent Fred Ackerman, who son was aboard the vessel told KTVU.

'There were dozens and dozens of people, there were boaters and people walking around on the trail. 

'Police don't know where the shots came from, but they do know it was a gun.'

Miraculously nobody was injured in the gunfire although the incident has shaken the club.

West Sacramento police are investigating but have not made any arrests so far.

Officers and parents are now asking anyone with information about who might be responsible to come forward. 

'No parent should give any thought to sending their child to a sporting event, to a concert, to an elementary school and think, "my child might get shot today",' Ackerman added. 

Parent Fred Ackerman, who son was aboard the vessel described his horror after he realized what was going on

West Sacramento police are investigating but have not made any arrests so far

Oakland has struggled to get a grip on gun violence which began to soar during the pandemic.

Data from Oakland police for 2023 revealed gun related crimes were up four percent against the five year average. 

There were 2,542 shootings or assaults using firearms last year, according to the data. 

Earlier this year progressive mayor of Oakland Sheng Thao was ridiculed for claiming life coaching could be the secret to solving soaring crime in the California city.