Sacramento County deputies are looking into a violent incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park as law enforcement were dispersing an unlawful assembly of several hundred people.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Community Park around half past six in the evening after receiving reports of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, a second caller reported concerning a potential altercation unfolding inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but reported no active disturbance. Despite this, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems commanding attendees to vacate the area. Nearly 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots were discharged. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Responding personnel at once began locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
In total, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — including a female and three males all believed to be in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses noted that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and provided medical assistance those with gunshot wounds prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators read more recovered more spent casings along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot store. The physical evidence showed that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a suspect Kia was contacted by law enforcement in an area within Solano County. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Surveillance footage confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.