January 24, 2012

Suspect Arrested in Fatal Park Shooting

Sheriff’s Homicide detectives have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting yesterday of 59 year-old Steven Ebert at Hagan Park in Rancho Cordova. Dupree Barber, 47 (see attached photo), was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail this afternoon on a charge of murder, and is being held without bail.

On January 23, 2012, shortly after 6:00 a.m., Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Hagan Park in the 2100 block of Chase Drive regarding a gunshot victim. An employee arriving for work at the location discovered an adult male, later identified as Steven Ebert, who had sustained gunshot wounds to his upper body. Paramedics responded to the location and pronounced Ebert deceased.

Early in the investigation, detectives received information that led them to Barber as a possible suspect. A vehicle connected to Barber was found in close proximity to the crime scene, which exacerbated detectives’ interest in him.

At about 10:00 a.m. this morning, Homicide detectives responded to West Sacramento, where Barber had initiated contact with a patrol officer. Barber told the officer there that he believed authorities in Sacramento were looking for him. When detectives arrived at Barber’s location, he agreed to accompany them back to Sacramento County to speak with them about this incident. Barber was ultimately arrested based on information received during the investigation, and evidence collected from the scene.

Investigation revealed that Barber was a former employee of the park district that Ebert worked for, and that Ebert had been one of Barber’s supervisors in the past. Detectives believe that Barber’s loss of employment was directly related to his motive behind the commission of this crime.

Deputy Jason Ramos,
Sheriff's Spokesman

Dupree Barber