Law enforcement in Sacramento are examining a gun violence incident that broke out late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while deputies were shutting down an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
How It Started
Deputies were first dispatched to the park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Soon after, additional information came in concerning a potential altercation occurring inside the park.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Even so, authorities discovered that a massive group had congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Law enforcement personnel started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems directing those gathered to go home. About 15 minutes were spent for the gathering to break up.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that upwards of 20 gunshots rang out. The sudden gunfire caused mass panic. Deputies swiftly started searching for victims.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were found to have been shot. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men each reported to be in their twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff reported that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and aided in treating those who had been shot on location.
Evidence at the Scene
The primary shooting scene was determined to have occurred along the Cottage Way corridor alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators located more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Projectile impacts were discovered in the wrought iron perimeter fencing alongside the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries indicated that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot store. The Home Depot was locked down for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Intelligence received more info over scanner radio traffic revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video evidence confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.