Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are looking into a shooting that erupted Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park at the moment officers were clearing an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to Howe Park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, additional information came in mentioning a possible physical fight taking place at the location.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, it became clear that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and using their vehicle PA systems instructing the unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento crowd to disperse at once. Nearly 15 minutes were given for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots were discharged. The rapid succession of shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — consisting of one woman and three men all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were brought to nearby hospitals. Emergency physicians reported that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and provided medical assistance those with gunshot wounds at the park.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire seemed to have taken place along Cottage Way next to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators recovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were also found in the iron perimeter fence bordering the Home Depot. These findings indicated that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was locked down while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene personnel remained on scene throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered over police scanner frequencies indicated that a Kia was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four individuals were detained. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Video reviewed at the scene established that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.