Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a shooting incident that unfolded Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park just as officers were breaking up an unauthorized event of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office first arrived at Howe Community Park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Soon after, a second call came in mentioning a reported physical confrontation happening inside the park.
A sheriff's airship conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, it became clear that a massive group had assembled at the park without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Officers moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Around 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 gunshots cut through the air. The rapid succession of shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers immediately began finding those who had been shot.
Four People Shot
In total, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were transported to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses indicated that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department also responded and helped triage the injured at the scene.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire appears to have unfolded along Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 website block of Howe Ave. Law enforcement investigators found further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were identified in the iron fence adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives kept processing evidence well into the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications showed that a suspect Kia had been detained in Solano County California. Four people were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento law enforcement were dispatched to Solano County to transport the detainees for questioning. Surveillance footage showed that there were two gunmen.