Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are working a violent incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area as law enforcement were clearing an unlawful assembly of a crowd of several hundred.
What Led to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office first arrived at Howe Community Park just after half past six in the evening after obtaining information of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Following that, a second call came in concerning a possible fight unfolding inside the park.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. However, it was apparent that a massive group had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and using their vehicle PA systems ordering the assembled crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The barrage of gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Officers at once began looking for those injured.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — comprising three men and one woman each reported to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire assisted at the location and helped care for shooting victims at the park.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene appears to have unfolded along the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel recovered additional shell casings on website the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet damage were discovered in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a Kia vehicle was pulled over in nearby Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Deputies were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.