Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a gunfire incident that occurred Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as law enforcement were dispersing an unlawful assembly of several hundred people.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about the park at approximately 6:30 PM after receiving reports of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Soon after, a second caller reported concerning a reported physical confrontation taking place inside the park.
A sheriff's airship was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, deputies Howe Park Sacramento gunfire found that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and issuing commands over loudspeakers directing those gathered to vacate the area. Around 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four victims were found to have been shot. All four — including a female and three males each reported to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to Sacramento area hospitals. Doctors and nurses reported that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and aided in treating those with gunshot wounds at the park.
Evidence at the Scene
The center of the incident seemed to have taken place along Cottage Way near the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel located further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot store. These discoveries confirmed that at least one shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. The Home Depot was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene personnel continued working well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered over police scanner frequencies revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four detainees were taken into custody. Sacramento law enforcement were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Video that was reviewed made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.