Officials in Sacramento County are probing a gun violence incident that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the moment authorities were dispersing an unsanctioned gathering of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially responded to the park at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, additional information came in about a reported physical confrontation taking place at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, deputies found that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems commanding those gathered to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. The rapid succession of shots caused mass panic. Deputies swiftly started searching for victims.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four gunshot victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. The victims — including a female and three males each reported to be in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Emergency physicians confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and aided in treating shooting victims at the scene.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene appears to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the local Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators located more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were discovered in the wrought iron click here fence alongside the Home Depot store. The physical evidence confirmed that at least one of the shooters had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was temporarily locked down during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives stayed at the location late into the evening.
Arrests Made
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia vehicle was pulled over in Solano County. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene made clear that two shooters had been involved.