Law enforcement in Sacramento are looking into a gunfire incident that erupted Saturday evening at Howe Park just as deputies were dispersing a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
Prior to the Shooting
Deputies were first called to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 PM on April 18 after being notified of subjects reportedly click here carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, a second call came in concerning a reported physical confrontation taking place at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. Nevertheless, deputies found that a massive group had come together at the location in an unauthorized manner.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and using their vehicle PA systems commanding those gathered to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for the gathering to break up.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were fired. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Ultimately, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their early to late twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Emergency physicians noted that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento Metro Fire arrived on scene and provided medical assistance the injured at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene seemed to have been concentrated adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators found further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. This evidence showed that a shooter had been aiming south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a Kia vehicle was pulled over in the Solano County area. Four people were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Video evidence showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.