Officials in Sacramento County are looking into a shooting incident that occurred Saturday evening at Howe Park in Sacramento as authorities were dispersing an unlawful assembly of several hundred people.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about Howe Community Park just after 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Following that, additional information came in mentioning an alleged brawl unfolding near the park.
Air support flew over the park but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and making announcements directing those gathered to clear out. Around 15 minutes were provided for the gathering to break up.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Responding personnel immediately began locating website gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Altogether, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their 20s — were rushed to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and aided in treating shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident appears to have unfolded adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor next to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators found additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet damage were noted in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence showed that a shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The Home Depot was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly well into the night.
Arrests Made
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia had been detained in the Solano County area. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video that was reviewed established that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.