Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting incident that took place Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time authorities were shutting down an unsanctioned gathering of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park around 6:30 PM after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Shortly after, a second call came in about a possible fight happening at the location.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was evident that hundreds of people had come together at the location without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Officers set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the hundreds present to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Responding personnel immediately began identifying shooting victims.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians reported that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. Thankfully, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento Metro Fire assisted at the location and provided medical assistance shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
The Investigation
The main crime scene was believed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way corridor close to the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel recovered more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the Home unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento Depot. These findings showed that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in Solano County. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Video evidence established that there were two gunmen.