Officials in Sacramento County are working a gunfire incident that broke out late Saturday at the Howe Community Park area while officers were breaking up an unlawful assembly of multiple hundreds of people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies read more were first called to the park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. After that, additional information came in about an alleged brawl unfolding inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was evident that several hundred individuals had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems directing the assembled crowd to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were given for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots were fired. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement wasted no time in looking for those injured.
Four Gunshot Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. All four — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were taken to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams noted that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento fire crews assisted at the location and helped care for the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Evidence at the Scene
The main crime scene was believed to have occurred near the Cottage Way side of the park near the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were also found in the metal fencing bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown during the incident. CSI investigators and detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Arrests Made
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring confirmed that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four detainees were detained. Law enforcement units were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for investigation. Surveillance footage revealed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.