Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento just as officers were breaking up an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement first arrived at the park just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Following that, a second call came in regarding a possible fight breaking out within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies set about removing people from the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and broadcasting over loudspeakers ordering the assembled crowd to clear out. Around 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 gunshots rang out. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement wasted no time in looking for those injured.
Four People Shot
In total, four victims were located with gunshot injuries. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical teams indicated that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department provided support and helped care for shooting victims at the park.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene was confirmed to have occurred near Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators discovered extra shell casings on Cottage Way. website Bullet holes were identified in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot. The physical evidence pointed to that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was put under lockdown while the scene was active. CSI investigators and detectives kept processing evidence throughout the night.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four occupants were detained. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Surveillance footage showed that there were two gunmen.