Law enforcement in unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento Sacramento are looking into a gun violence incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dissolving an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Following that, additional information came in regarding a reported physical confrontation happening at Howe Park.
An overhead unit was sent to survey the area but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Regardless, it was apparent that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and making announcements ordering the crowd to clear out. About 15 minutes were given for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that upwards of 20 gunshots cut through the air. The shots triggered a stampede. Law enforcement immediately began searching for victims.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four people were located with gunshot injuries. All four — made up of one woman and three men all believed to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical personnel reported that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews also responded and aided in treating the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
The center of the incident seemed to have unfolded near the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators recovered additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Round impacts were noted in the metal fencing bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence pointed to that a shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a suspect Kia was intercepted in Solano County California. Four occupants were detained. Sheriff's units were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene established that two separate shooters participated in the incident.