Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a shooting that broke out Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time officers were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to Howe Community Park just after 6:30 in the evening after being notified of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Not long after, another report was received concerning a reported physical confrontation occurring near the park.
Air support was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Nevertheless, it was evident that a massive group had assembled at the park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Responding units moved to clear the area by setting up around the park's perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding the assembled crowd to leave immediately. About 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that between 20 and 25 rounds were discharged. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims each reported to be in their early to late twenties — were taken to area medical facilities. Emergency physicians noted that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and provided medical assistance shooting victims at the park.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene seemed to have happened on Cottage Way next to the Home Depot store at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel identified more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet holes were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the Home Depot store. These findings indicated that one of the gunmen had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene well into the night.
Suspect Information
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia had been detained in Solano County California. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Law enforcement units were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. read more Video evidence revealed that there were two gunmen.