Law enforcement in Sacramento are probing a violent incident that broke out Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park as authorities were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first dispatched to the park around half past six in the evening after learning of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, a second caller reported describing unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento an alleged brawl breaking out inside the park.
An overhead unit was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems ordering the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Responding personnel at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman all reportedly in their early to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and assisted with medical triage the injured at the scene.
Physical Evidence
The bulk of the shooting appears to have happened along Cottage Way close to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators recovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Ballistic damage were noted in the metal fencing near the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries confirmed that a second shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications confirmed that a Kia was pulled over in Solano County. Four suspects were detained. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to transport the detainees for further questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators established that two individuals had fired weapons.