Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are working a violent incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time officers were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about Howe Park at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Soon after, additional information came in regarding a possible fight happening inside the park.
Air support scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. Even so, it became clear that a massive group had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units worked to disperse the crowd by surrounding the park and making announcements instructing attendees to go home. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The rapid succession of shots caused mass panic. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
In total, four gunshot victims were found to have been shot. The four individuals — including a female and three males each apparently in their early to late twenties — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and helped care for those who had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
The Investigation
The bulk of the shooting appears to have been concentrated adjacent to Cottage Way close to the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators located additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Round impacts were discovered in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. This evidence indicated that at least one shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was locked down as a precaution. CSI units alongside detectives Howe Park shooting Sacramento worked tirelessly for hours.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications confirmed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four suspects were detained. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to transport the detainees for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene showed that two shooters had been involved.