Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a gunfire incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Park as authorities were clearing a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
How It Started
Officers from the Sacramento get more info County Sheriff's Office initially responded to the park around 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Shortly after, a second caller reported regarding a reported physical confrontation happening near the park.
An overhead unit was sent to survey the area but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Regardless, authorities discovered that a massive group had come together at the location without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Deputies moved to clear the area by positioning themselves around the crowd and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering attendees to vacate the area. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — including a female and three males all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were taken to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical teams indicated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews assisted at the location and aided in treating shooting victims on location.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was believed to have happened near the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives recovered more spent casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet damage were discovered in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot. These findings confirmed that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Arrests Made
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia vehicle was contacted by law enforcement in an area within Solano County. Four people were taken into custody. Sacramento law enforcement were sent to retrieve the detainees to collect the individuals for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.