Law enforcement in Sacramento are examining a gunfire incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park while Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dissolving an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to the Arden-Arcade park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, additional information came in about a reported physical confrontation happening near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. However, authorities here discovered that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without any permit or approval.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling the crowd to clear out. Around 15 minutes were given for attendees to disperse.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots echoed through the night. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Responding personnel wasted no time in searching for victims.
The Shooting Victims
When the dust settled, four victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. The four individuals — consisting of one woman and three men all reportedly in their twenties — were brought to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and helped triage those with gunshot wounds on location.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene seemed to have unfolded on Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives located further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were discovered in the wrought iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. These discoveries suggested that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was pulled over in Solano County California. Four occupants were detained. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to pick up those detained for formal questioning. Video reviewed at the scene confirmed that there were two gunmen.