Officials in Sacramento County are examining a gun violence incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while law enforcement were breaking up a large unauthorized gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement first arrived at Howe Park around 6:30 PM after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, additional information came in about a potential altercation breaking out near the park.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, authorities discovered that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by encircling the gathering and making announcements directing the hundreds present to go home. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots echoed through the night. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies immediately began looking for those injured.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four individuals were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims each reported to be in their early to late twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel reported Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department provided support and assisted with medical triage those with gunshot wounds prior to hospital transport.
Physical Evidence
The primary shooting scene appears to have unfolded on the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators discovered more spent casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were identified in the iron perimeter fence surrounding the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence showed that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel continued working for hours.
Suspect Information
Details gathered over police scanner frequencies revealed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in the Solano County area. Four individuals were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for investigation. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that two shooters had been involved.