Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a violent incident that broke out Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park at the moment authorities were clearing an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
Background
Law enforcement first arrived at Howe Park shortly before 6:30 PM after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, a second caller reported get more info describing a possible physical fight taking place at the location.
An overhead unit flew over the park but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Regardless, it was apparent that several hundred individuals had gathered without authorization without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems directing attendees to clear out. About 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots were discharged. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Responding personnel wasted no time in locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four victims were located with gunshot injuries. The victims — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their twenties — were transported to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and helped triage those who had been shot at the scene.
Crime Scene Evidence
The primary shooting scene appears to have happened along the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives discovered extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot. These discoveries suggested that at least one of the shooters had been aiming south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications showed that a suspect Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene confirmed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.