Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are looking into a gunfire incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as deputies were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of hundreds of attendees.
Background
Deputies initially got calls about the park on Howe Avenue shortly before 6:30 PM on April 18 after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, a second call came in mentioning a possible physical fight unfolding within the park grounds.
Air support was sent to survey the area but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Regardless, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies set about removing people from the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems directing the assembled crowd to go home. About 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The sudden gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four shooting victims were found to have been shot. The victims — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff reported that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento fire crews assisted at the location and assisted with medical triage those with gunshot wounds before they were taken to the hospital.
Evidence at the Scene
The bulk of the shooting was determined to have been concentrated near Cottage Way near the Home Depot store located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators discovered additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were identified in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. These findings indicated that at least one of the shooters had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown during the incident. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued read more working through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Details gathered via scanner audio indicated that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in nearby Solano County. Four individuals were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.