Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a shooting that unfolded Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unauthorized event of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially responded to the park on Howe Avenue around half past six in the evening after learning of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. After that, a second call came in describing a reported physical confrontation occurring inside the park.
Air support flew over the park but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and making announcements telling the hundreds present to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 gunshots rang out. Gunfire caused mass panic. Law enforcement at once began searching for victims.
Those Who Were Hit
In total, four gunshot victims were found to have been shot. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses reported that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one victim's wounds were minor. According to authorities, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and helped triage shooting victims at the scene.
Evidence at the Scene
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have happened along the Cottage Way side of the park near the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel identified additional spent rounds throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were noted in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot store. These findings confirmed that a shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way aimed at the here Home Depot store. The store itself was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. CSI investigators and detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed through scanner monitoring established that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County. Four occupants were detained. Sheriff's units were sent to retrieve the detainees to transport the detainees for further questioning. Video that was reviewed confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.