Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting incident that broke out on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area at the moment authorities were shutting down a large Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation unsanctioned party of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first called to Howe Community Park around 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, a follow-up call was made concerning a potential altercation breaking out inside the park.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Regardless, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization in an unauthorized manner.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by positioning themselves around the crowd and broadcasting over loudspeakers telling the assembled crowd to vacate the area. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Responding personnel wasted no time in locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were brought to nearby hospitals. Emergency physicians confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one had injuries classified as minor. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and provided medical assistance the injured on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was determined to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators found extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Ballistic damage were identified in the metal fencing surrounding the Home Depot. These discoveries confirmed that one of the gunmen had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown during the incident. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location late into the evening.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four people were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene established that two shooters had been involved.