Sacramento authorities are looking into a violent incident that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time law enforcement were dispersing an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about Howe Community Park around 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Soon after, a second caller reported mentioning a potential altercation breaking out inside the park.
Aerial units was sent to survey the area but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Nevertheless, authorities discovered that an enormous crowd had assembled at the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by surrounding the park and announcing over their public address systems commanding the assembled crowd to vacate the area. Nearly 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The barrage of gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Deputies at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
By the time the scene was secured, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation through their in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical personnel reported that two had critical injury classifications, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Thankfully, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and assisted with medical triage the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Evidence at the Scene
The center of the incident seemed to have been concentrated on Cottage Way close to the Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators located additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were observed in the iron perimeter fence bordering the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that at least one of the shooters had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was put under lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives stayed at the location late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications established that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for investigation. Video that was reviewed made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.