Law enforcement in Sacramento are probing a violent incident that occurred Saturday evening at the Howe Community Park area while officers were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Law enforcement were first called Howe Park Sacramento gunfire to the Arden-Arcade park around 6:30 in the evening after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. After that, a second call came in concerning an alleged brawl breaking out at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Nevertheless, authorities discovered that an enormous crowd had come together at the location in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units worked to disperse the crowd by positioning themselves around the crowd and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the hundreds present to clear out. Around 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots cut through the air. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Officers at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. All four — including a female and three males each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Medical teams reported that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one had moderate injuries, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire assisted at the location and helped care for those who had been shot prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene was confirmed to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators found more spent casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the iron perimeter fence surrounding the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives remained on scene late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications established that a Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four detainees were detained. Sheriff's units were en route to collect those detained to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that there were two gunmen.