A 34-year-old Vacaville man was found shot to death in his truck at William Land Park last Thursday morning, marking Sacramento's 31st homicide of 2025 and drawing renewed attention to public safety at the park.
James Daniel Maciulla, known as Daniel to those close to him, was discovered around 1 a.m. inside his white GMC Sierra on the 1200 block of 13th Avenue, near the Land Park Playground and baseball fields. According to ABC10, first responders were initially called to the scene for a vehicle crash before discovering the victim had suffered at least one gunshot wound.
Family Seeks Answers in Tragic Loss
Maciulla’s brother Peter expressed uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding the shooting, saying he is left with unanswered questions about what occurred and what his brother may have experienced in his final moments.
Sacramento Police Sgt. Dan Wiseman assured the community that investigators "don't have any information right now to believe that there's a threat to the public," describing the incident as appearing to be isolated. Homicide detectives continue to work the case, seeking to piece together the circumstances that led to Maciulla's death, as per report by ABC10.
Park Safety Concerns Mount
The shooting has intensified existing concerns about security at William Land Park, home to the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town. As reported by CBS Sacramento, neighbors are calling for policy changes following the fatal shooting, noting that while the park is supposed to be closed at night, enforcement isn't always consistent.
Kristina Rogers, president of the Land Park Community Association, commented on the incident, noting that it occurred in a typically quiet area of the park near a children's playground. Earlier in the year, an online petition with over 300 signatures from local residents described concerns about increased illegal street racing and unpermitted gatherings in the park.
Rising Homicide Numbers
Maciulla's death represents Sacramento's 31st homicide of 2025, compared to 27 for the same period last year. Despite the increase in homicides, police report their clearance rate has improved from 73% last year to 83% this year. The per capita homicide rate in Sacramento now stands at 5.79 per 100,000 people, reflecting broader public safety challenges facing the capital city.
Community Appeal for Information
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Sacramento Police Department’s dispatch center at (916) 808-5471 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). The investigation is ongoing as detectives continue to gather information related to the case.
