Sacramento authorities are working a shooting that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park while authorities were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue at about 6:30 in the evening after learning of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Soon after, another report was received mentioning a reported physical confrontation taking place at Howe Park.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Nevertheless, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had come read more together at the location without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems telling the hundreds present to clear out. Around 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. Gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel at once began locating gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four victims were located with gunshot injuries. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were transported to area medical facilities. Hospital staff confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. In a positive development, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and provided medical assistance the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene appears to have taken place on the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators recovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were discovered in the iron fence near the Home Depot store. These discoveries indicated that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications established that a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four suspects were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Surveillance footage revealed that two shooters had been involved.