Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a gunfire incident that took place Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dissolving an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at Howe Community Park at approximately 6:30 in the evening after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a second caller reported regarding a potential altercation happening at Howe Park.
Aerial units searched from above but website could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, authorities discovered that a massive group had gathered without authorization without permission.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Law enforcement personnel started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and making announcements telling the hundreds present to leave immediately. About 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical teams indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and helped triage those with gunshot wounds at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The primary shooting scene was believed to have been concentrated near Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators discovered extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Round impacts were discovered in the metal fencing bordering the Home Depot. These discoveries showed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was locked down for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives stayed at the location late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received over scanner radio traffic revealed that a Kia had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were held for questioning. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.