Sacramento County deputies are investigating a violent incident that erupted late Saturday at the Howe Community Park area while Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement were first called to the Arden-Arcade park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, a second caller reported mentioning a possible physical fight breaking out at the location.
Air support was sent to survey the area but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. However, authorities discovered that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and making announcements instructing those gathered to go home. Roughly 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 gunshots rang out. The shots caused mass panic. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started identifying shooting victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were brought to nearby hospitals. Hospital staff confirmed that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and helped care for those who had been shot on location.
Evidence at the Scene
The center of the incident was determined to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators identified more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Round impacts were also found in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the Home Depot store. These findings confirmed that at least one shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot store. The store itself was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed over scanner radio Cottage Way shooting Sacramento traffic established that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators showed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.