Sacramento authorities are examining a shooting incident that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 PM after receiving reports of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Shortly after, another report was received regarding a potential altercation happening inside the park.
An overhead unit flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Nevertheless, it was evident that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park without any permit or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Deputies worked to disperse the crowd by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling the hundreds present to disperse at once. here Roughly 15 minutes were allowed for individuals to vacate.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Deputies quickly moved to looking for those injured.
Four People Shot
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff indicated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and helped care for shooting victims at the scene.
The Investigation
The main crime scene was confirmed to have unfolded adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators located additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet damage were observed in the iron perimeter fence near the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been firing southward from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was temporarily locked down as a precaution. Crime scene personnel worked tirelessly well into the night.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received via scanner audio showed that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.