Law enforcement in Sacramento are looking into a gunfire incident that took place Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time deputies were dissolving an unauthorized event of multiple hundreds of people.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at Howe Community Park around 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Soon after, a second call came in regarding a possible fight unfolding near the park.
Air support was sent to survey the area but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it became clear that an enormous crowd had congregated at Howe Park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and making announcements telling the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were allotted for individuals to vacate.
Just as the crowd began to move that upwards of 20 gunshots were fired. The rapid succession of shots caused mass panic. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies wasted no time in looking for those injured.
The Shooting Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four people were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — including a female and three males all reportedly in their twenties — were brought to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel noted that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and provided medical assistance the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene was determined to have taken place on the Cottage Way side of the park near the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives located extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were observed in the wrought iron fence bordering the Home Depot. These discoveries confirmed that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was secured more info under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel continued working late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a suspect Kia had been stopped in Solano County. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento law enforcement were traveling to Solano County to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.