Sacramento authorities are looking into a gun violence incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Community Park just as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to the park around 6:30 PM on April 18 after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a follow-up call was made describing a possible fight happening within the park grounds.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep read more but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, it became clear that an enormous crowd had come together at the location without official sanction.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel set about removing people from the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and making announcements telling the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Roughly 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement swiftly started identifying shooting victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their mid to late twenties — were brought to area medical facilities. Medical teams confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one had moderate injuries, and one had injuries classified as minor. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and helped care for those who had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The center of the incident was determined to have unfolded adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot store at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives found further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were discovered in the wrought iron fence alongside the Home Depot store. These discoveries suggested that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly throughout the night.
Arrests Made
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a Kia connected to the shooting had been stopped in Solano County. Four occupants were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Video that was reviewed showed that two shooters had been involved.