Officials in Sacramento County are examining a shooting incident that broke out Saturday evening at Howe Community Park at the time law enforcement were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of hundreds of attendees.
How It Started
Deputies were first dispatched to the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, a second call came in describing a reported physical confrontation unfolding at the location.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had packed into the park without permission.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers directing the crowd to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies at once began searching for victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians indicated that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Thankfully, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and helped care for the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire was believed to have unfolded on Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot store at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators discovered more spent casings on Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the metal fencing near the Home Depot store. These discoveries showed that at least one shooter had been sending rounds south from along Cottage Way shooting Sacramento Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was secured under a brief lockdown during the incident. Crime scene personnel remained on scene late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Information obtained via scanner audio indicated that a Kia had been detained in Solano County. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to transport the detainees for investigation. Surveillance footage established that two separate shooters participated in the incident.