Sacramento authorities are probing a shooting incident that broke out Saturday evening at Howe Community Park just as deputies were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to Howe Park around 6:30 in the evening after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Not long after, another report was received mentioning an alleged brawl taking place near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. Despite this, deputies found that an enormous crowd had assembled at the park without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and broadcasting over loudspeakers directing the assembled crowd to disperse at website once. Approximately 15 minutes were spent for the crowd to leave.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Law enforcement immediately began finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
When the dust settled, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their twenties — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses stated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. In a positive development, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and helped triage those with gunshot wounds at the scene.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident seemed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the local Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators located additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were observed in the metal fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. The store itself was temporarily locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly for hours.
Arrests Made
Information obtained over police scanner frequencies confirmed that a suspect Kia was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene established that there were two gunmen.