Sacramento authorities are working a violent incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park just as officers were dissolving an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at the Arden-Arcade park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made regarding a reported physical confrontation breaking out near the park.
Aerial units searched from above but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, deputies found that more info a crowd of several hundred had congregated at Howe Park without any permit or approval.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers ordering those gathered to clear out. Around 15 minutes were allotted for the gathering to break up.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The sudden gunfire caused mass panic. Law enforcement immediately began finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were transported to nearby hospitals. Medical teams stated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. In a positive development, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and provided medical assistance the injured prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The center of the incident was determined to have occurred adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor alongside the Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators discovered additional spent rounds along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the wrought iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries confirmed that at least one of the shooters had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Reports confirmed via scanner audio revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were detained. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene established that two individuals had fired weapons.