Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a gun violence incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area at the time authorities were shutting down an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Community Park just after half past six in the evening after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Not long after, a second call came in concerning an alleged brawl unfolding inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units worked to disperse the crowd by forming a perimeter and announcing over their public address systems telling the hundreds present to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Ultimately, four victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. All four — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their early to late twenties — were transported to nearby hospitals. Medical teams reported that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one had injuries classified as minor. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and helped triage those with gunshot wounds at the scene.
The Investigation
Most website of the gunfire seemed to have unfolded near Cottage Way next to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel discovered extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were also found in the metal fencing alongside the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence indicated that at least one shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Details gathered via scanner audio indicated that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four people were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene showed that there were two gunmen.