Law enforcement in Sacramento are examining a shooting that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
What Led to the Shooting
Deputies were first called to the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 in the evening after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, another report was received regarding a potential altercation taking place at Howe Park.
Aerial units was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units set about removing people from the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and announcing over their public address systems instructing attendees to vacate the area. Roughly 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds were fired. The barrage of gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement immediately began searching for victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Altogether, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were taken to area medical facilities. Medical personnel confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews assisted at the location and helped triage those with gunshot wounds prior to hospital transport.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene was determined to have been concentrated near the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators identified additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were identified in the iron fence near the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence showed that at least one shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home click here Depot was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in the Solano County area. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to bring the suspects back for questioning. Video evidence established that two shooters had been involved.