Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a shooting that broke out Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as deputies were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to Howe Park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, another report was received mentioning an alleged brawl happening within the park grounds.
Aerial units searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Nevertheless, authorities discovered that a massive group had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units started clearing the here unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling those gathered to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The rapid succession of shots sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four people were confirmed as gunshot victims. The victims — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to nearby hospitals. Medical teams noted that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and helped care for the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene was confirmed to have occurred on the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives located more spent casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were observed in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence pointed to that at least one shooter had been aiming south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene well into the night.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed over police scanner frequencies indicated that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were detained. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence established that two individuals had fired weapons.