Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a shooting that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unlawful assembly of a crowd of several hundred.
How It Started
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, a second call came in concerning a potential altercation occurring at the location.
An overhead unit searched from above but reported no active disturbance. Despite this, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies started clearing read more the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the crowd to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 gunshots echoed through the night. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies at once began finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were found to have been shot. Those injured — including a female and three males all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were transported to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams stated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews also responded and provided medical assistance the injured before they were taken to the hospital.
The Investigation
Most of the gunfire was determined to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators identified additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were observed in the iron perimeter fence near the Home Depot. The physical evidence showed that a second shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was temporarily locked down for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location throughout the night.
Suspect Information
Details gathered over scanner radio traffic confirmed that a suspect Kia was pulled over in Solano County California. Four people were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for investigation. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that two shooters had been involved.