Officials in Sacramento County are probing a gun violence incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento as deputies were breaking up an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
How It Started
Law enforcement initially responded to the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 PM after learning of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, a second call came in regarding an alleged brawl occurring near the park.
An overhead unit flew over the park but reported no active disturbance. However, deputies found that hundreds of people had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies moved to clear the area by surrounding the park and announcing over their public address systems directing the hundreds present to disperse at once. Around unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots echoed through the night. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Responding personnel quickly moved to searching for victims.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — a group of one female and three male victims each reported to be in their 20s — were taken to nearby hospitals. Hospital staff indicated that two victims were in serious condition, one had moderate injuries, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Thankfully, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and helped care for those with gunshot wounds on location.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene appears to have unfolded adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Detectives located extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were identified in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence showed that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives continued working for hours.
Arrests Made
Information relayed over police scanner frequencies showed that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Law enforcement units were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for further questioning. Video that was reviewed made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.