Sacramento authorities are working a violent incident that took place on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area as deputies were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first called to the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 in the evening after receiving reports of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, additional information came in describing an alleged brawl happening at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Even so, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had come together at the location without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and making announcements ordering attendees to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were allotted for individuals to vacate.
Just as click here the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies immediately began searching for victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Altogether, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — including a female and three males each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and provided medical assistance those with gunshot wounds at the park.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire appears to have occurred near the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel found extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet holes were observed in the iron perimeter fence near the Home Depot. These findings indicated that at least one shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot. The store itself was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working for hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were taken into custody. Law enforcement units were traveling to Solano County to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence revealed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.