Sacramento authorities are examining a gun violence incident that unfolded Saturday evening at Howe Community Park while law enforcement were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of click here multiple hundreds of people.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at Howe Park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Soon after, a second call came in concerning a potential altercation occurring near the park.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. Nevertheless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and making announcements commanding attendees to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots echoed through the night. The rapid succession of shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four people were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — consisting of one woman and three men each reported to be in their early to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and provided medical assistance the injured prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was determined to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators found more spent casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were noted in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries indicated that a shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. CSI investigators and detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia had been detained in Solano County. Four suspects were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to bring the suspects back for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.