Law enforcement in Sacramento are looking into a violent incident that unfolded Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about Howe Community Park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after getting calls of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Not long after, another report was received concerning a reported physical confrontation happening near the park.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Nevertheless, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without official sanction.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by positioning themselves around the crowd and announcing over their public address systems instructing those gathered to go home. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition echoed through the night. The shots caused mass panic. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies wasted no time in looking for those injured.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four people were found to have been shot. All four — made up of one woman and three men each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were taken to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses indicated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews were called to the scene and aided in treating the injured prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have occurred on Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators discovered additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were discovered in the metal fencing alongside the Home Depot store. These discoveries indicated that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene here throughout the night.
Suspect Information
Information relayed through scanner monitoring showed that a Kia had been detained in the Solano County area. Four detainees were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were heading to pick up the four detainees to collect the individuals for further questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.