Officials in Sacramento County are probing a shooting incident that took place Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park as authorities were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement initially got calls about the park on Howe Avenue just after half past six in the evening after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, additional information came in concerning a potential altercation occurring at Howe Park.
An overhead unit was sent to survey the area but reported check here no active disturbance. Regardless, it was apparent that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by forming a perimeter and making announcements directing the hundreds present to clear out. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that between 20 and 25 rounds were fired. The shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Responding personnel wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
Altogether, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — consisting of one woman and three men each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire provided support and provided medical assistance shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene seemed to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Detectives found additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet damage were also found in the iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. The physical evidence suggested that a shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received via scanner audio revealed that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in Solano County California. Four people were detained. Sacramento law enforcement were traveling to Solano County to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.