Sacramento County deputies are probing a shooting that broke out late Saturday at Howe Community Park at the moment authorities were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
How It Started
Deputies first arrived at Howe Community Park just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after receiving reports of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, a second caller reported regarding a possible fight breaking out inside the park.
Air support searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, it was apparent that several hundred individuals had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems directing the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Roughly 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. Gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Deputies immediately began searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
By the time the scene was secured, four people were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were brought to nearby hospitals. Medical personnel indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento Metro Fire were called to the scene and helped triage the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
Most of the gunfire was determined to have unfolded on the Cottage Way corridor next to the Home Depot store at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives located additional shell casings along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were discovered in the iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. This evidence suggested that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. The store itself was locked down while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives continued working throughout the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information obtained over police scanner frequencies indicated that unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four people were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Video that was reviewed showed that two individuals had fired weapons.