Sacramento County deputies are investigating a violent incident that occurred Saturday evening at Howe Park in Sacramento as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were shutting down an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Law enforcement were first called to the Arden-Arcade park shortly before half past six in the evening after obtaining information of website individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, another report was received mentioning a reported physical confrontation breaking out at the location.
An overhead unit scanned the area from the air but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had congregated at Howe Park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by setting up around the park's perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems directing the hundreds present to go home. Roughly 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots were discharged. The shots caused mass panic. Responding personnel quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their 20s — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff stated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento Metro Fire were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot at the park.
The Investigation
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have occurred near the Cottage Way corridor alongside the Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel located additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Round impacts were identified in the wrought iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. These findings suggested that at least one of the shooters had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was locked down as a precaution. CSI investigators and detectives continued working through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received via scanner audio revealed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for questioning. Video evidence confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.