Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a shooting incident that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento as officers were dispersing a large unauthorized gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first called to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 PM after getting calls of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, a follow-up call was made about a possible physical fight breaking out at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, it became clear that an enormous crowd had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel started clearing the unauthorized gathering by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers commanding attendees to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for attendees to disperse.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The shots caused mass panic. Officers at once began locating gunshot victims.
Four People Shot
By check here the time the scene was secured, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims each reported to be in their twenties — were rushed to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses reported that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and provided medical assistance those with gunshot wounds on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene appears to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel found extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot. The physical evidence showed that at least one of the shooters had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence well into the night.
Arrests Made
Information relayed via scanner audio established that a suspect Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four detainees were held for questioning. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that two shooters had been involved.