Sacramento authorities are investigating a shooting that occurred Saturday evening at the Howe Community Park area at the moment law enforcement were dispersing an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Background
Law enforcement first arrived at the park around 6:30 PM on April 18 after receiving reports of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Not long after, a follow-up call Howe Park shooting Sacramento was made about a potential altercation unfolding within the park grounds.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. However, it was evident that an enormous crowd had congregated at Howe Park without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Officers began the process of clearing the park by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers ordering the crowd to vacate the area. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds echoed through the night. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel at once began finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were taken to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews assisted at the location and aided in treating shooting victims prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have happened near Cottage Way next to the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators discovered additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Ballistic damage were discovered in the metal fencing near the Home Depot. This evidence showed that a second shooter had been sending rounds south from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was put under lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly throughout the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information obtained over police scanner frequencies established that a suspect Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento law enforcement were dispatched to Solano County to pick up those detained for further questioning. Surveillance footage established that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.