Sacramento authorities are looking into a gunfire incident that broke out Saturday night April 18 at the Howe Community Park area just as law enforcement were breaking up an unlawful assembly of hundreds of more info attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to Howe Park at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, additional information came in concerning a possible physical fight taking place near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter scanned the area from the air but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it became clear that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers directing attendees to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were spent for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds were fired. The barrage of gunfire caused mass panic. Officers at once began looking for those injured.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four individuals were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — comprising three men and one woman each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to nearby hospitals. Medical teams indicated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one victim's wounds were minor. Fortunately, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot at the scene.
The Investigation
The center of the incident appears to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor close to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the iron perimeter fence surrounding the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that a shooter had been aiming south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was put under lockdown during the incident. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies indicated that a Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four people were taken into custody. Sacramento law enforcement were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene showed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.