Sacramento County deputies are looking into a violent incident that broke out on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area while Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were clearing an unauthorized event of multiple hundreds of people.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to the park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made about a possible physical click here fight happening at the location.
An overhead unit flew over the park but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, deputies found that several hundred individuals had come together at the location without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems ordering the hundreds present to leave immediately. Around 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The rapid succession of shots sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — including a female and three males all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians reported that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and aided in treating those who had been shot at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have unfolded along the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators recovered additional shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot store. These findings showed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The store itself was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working well into the night.
Arrests Made
Information obtained over scanner radio traffic indicated that a suspect Kia had been detained in the Solano County area. Four people were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were dispatched to Solano County to transport the detainees for investigation. Video evidence established that two individuals had fired weapons.