Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a shooting that occurred late Saturday at the Howe Community Park area at the moment Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were clearing an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Deputies were first dispatched to Howe Park just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Shortly after, additional information came in regarding a possible fight happening at Howe Park.
Air support scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers ordering those gathered to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. Gunfire caused mass panic. Law enforcement immediately began finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
When the dust click here settled, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical teams indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District assisted at the location and helped care for shooting victims on location.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was determined to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators identified extra shell casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were identified in the wrought iron perimeter fencing alongside the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence showed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown during the incident. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene well into the night.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic confirmed that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene showed that two shooters had been involved.