Sacramento County deputies are probing a violent incident that unfolded Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park at the moment officers were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park at approximately 6:30 in the evening after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Shortly after, another report was received about an alleged brawl unfolding within the park grounds.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. Despite this, it was evident that hundreds of people had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and announcing over their public address systems commanding the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds echoed through the night. The sudden gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Officers quickly moved to looking for those injured.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims ranging in age through their in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento assisted at the location and aided in treating shooting victims at the park.
What Investigators Found
The center of the incident seemed to have taken place adjacent to Cottage Way close to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators found extra shell casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were identified in the metal fencing bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence indicated that a shooter had been aiming south from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown during the incident. CSI click here units alongside detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in the Solano County area. Four individuals were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.