Sacramento authorities are examining a shooting incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park while officers were dispersing a large unauthorized gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office first read more arrived at the park on Howe Avenue shortly before half past six in the evening after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, additional information came in concerning a possible physical fight taking place within the park grounds.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Nevertheless, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units worked to disperse the crowd by surrounding the park and announcing over their public address systems instructing attendees to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were given for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four people were found to have been shot. The four individuals — including a female and three males each reported to be in their 20s — were brought to nearby hospitals. Emergency physicians indicated that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. As of last report, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and helped care for those who had been shot at the scene.
Evidence at the Scene
The bulk of the shooting appears to have happened along the Cottage Way side of the park near the Home Depot store on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel discovered extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were noted in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the Home Depot. These discoveries suggested that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives continued working for hours.
Suspect Information
Information obtained through scanner monitoring revealed that a suspect Kia had been detained in Solano County. Four occupants were detained. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.