Officials in Sacramento County are working a shooting that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unlawful assembly of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement initially got calls about the Arden-Arcade park at about 6:30 PM after learning of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, a second caller reported describing an alleged brawl unfolding at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, it click here became clear that several hundred individuals had gathered without authorization without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers directing attendees to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were allowed for individuals to vacate.
At the height of the dispersal effort that upwards of 20 gunshots were fired. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Deputies quickly moved to looking for those injured.
Four People Shot
Ultimately, four shooting victims were found to have been shot. The four individuals — comprising three men and one woman all reportedly in their early to late twenties — were transported to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and aided in treating shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene appears to have unfolded near the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators identified more spent casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. This evidence suggested that a shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was temporarily locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed over police scanner frequencies confirmed that a Kia vehicle was intercepted in an area within Solano County. Four people were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were en route to collect those detained to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage showed that two individuals had fired weapons.