Sacramento authorities are looking into a gunfire incident that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park as authorities were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 in the evening after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, additional information came in describing a possible fight unfolding within the park grounds.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. Even so, it was apparent that several hundred individuals had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Officers set about removing people from the park by encircling the gathering and making announcements commanding the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. The shots caused mass panic. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started locating gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Altogether, four individuals were found to have been shot. The victims — including a female and three males each reported to be in their 20s — were transported to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical personnel reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and helped care for the injured prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was determined to have unfolded along the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators recovered additional spent rounds scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the metal fencing surrounding the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown click here for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives worked tirelessly for hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received through law enforcement radio communications confirmed that a Kia vehicle was intercepted in Solano County California. Four detainees were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene made clear that two individuals had fired weapons.