Aly & AJ Reveals They Were ‘Caught in the Crossfire’ of Sacramento Mass Shooting
Pop duo Aly & AJ are best known for their work on Disney Channel in the 2000s. The sisters—Alyson and Amanda Michalka—promoted several songs and even acted on the network.
Aly & AJ recently found themselves in downtown Sacramento, California, where a mass shooting took place. The duo later released a statement explaining the situation and how “distraught” they were.
Aly & AJ started their nationwide tour in Sacramento
On April 2, Aly & AJ started their nationwide A Touch of the Beat tour. The tour came after the release of the deluxe edition of their album, A Touch of the Beat Gets You Up on Your Feet Gets You Out and Then Into the Sun, in February 2022.
The tour started at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, and the sisters will travel across the United States as well as two cities in Canada. They will end the 35-city tour in late May in Los Angeles.
“It’s been over two years since we’ve been on a tour bus, and we’ve really missed being rocked to sleep at night,” Aly & AJ told Rolling Stone in February in anticipation of the tour.
Aly & AJ reveals their tour bus was ‘caught in the crossfire’ during the Sacramento shooting
Hours after Aly & AJ performed their first show at the Crest Theatre, a mass shooting occurred near the venue. According to NPR, six people died and at least 12 people were hospitalized. Governor Gavin Newsom called the incident “yet another horrendous act of gun violence.”
Aly & AJ’s tour bus was nearby, and the sisters took to Twitter to share how “distraught” they were by what happened.
“Distraught by the mass shooting last night outside the venue in Sacramento,” Aly & AJ wrote. “All of our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and those recovering today. We’re praying for the health care workers caring for them. We hope all our fans made it home safe.”
The musicians added, “Our bus was caught in the crossfire but we sheltered in place and everyone in our touring group is ok. Thank you for everyone reaching out. A reminder to keep your loved ones extra close today. We have to do something about gun violence in this country.”
Other singers were also nearby
Aly & AJ were not the only entertainers in downtown Sacramento that night. Tyler, the Creator was also there as part of his Call Me If You Get Lost tour. He performed at the Golden 1 Center, which is the home of the Sacramento Kings and a few blocks away from the shooting site.
Tyler, the Creator’s show also featured performances from artists Kali Uchis, Vince Staples, and Teezo Touchdown.
Uchis tweeted a message after the shooting. She wrote, “Devastated by the mass shooting last night in Sacramento near the venue we performed at. Our deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. We pray the injured recover quickly & that everyone at our show made it home safely.”
