Sacramento County deputies are working a violent incident that broke out late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden click here weapons. Not long after, additional information came in mentioning a potential altercation breaking out at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, it was evident that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Officers set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling the hundreds present to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were discovered with shooting injuries. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men all believed to be in their mid to late twenties — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical teams confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department provided support and helped triage the injured at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have taken place along the Cottage Way corridor next to the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators identified further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Round impacts were noted in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot. These discoveries indicated that at least one of the shooters had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received via scanner audio revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was pulled over in the Solano County area. Four detainees were detained. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene established that two shooters had been involved.