Sacramento County deputies are investigating a shooting that took place Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the moment Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were shutting down an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about Howe Community Park at approximately half past six in the evening after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Soon after, another report was received regarding a potential altercation occurring near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. However, it was evident that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Officers began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were fired. The rapid succession check here of shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — made up of one woman and three men all believed to be in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Hospital staff noted that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Thankfully, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot prior to hospital transport.
The Investigation
Most of the gunfire seemed to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the local Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators recovered additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were identified in the metal fencing near the Home Depot store. These findings indicated that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives continued working through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Sheriff's units were sent to retrieve the detainees to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.