Officials in Sacramento County are examining a gunfire incident that unfolded late Saturday at the Howe Community here Park area just as law enforcement were shutting down an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Community Park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after receiving reports of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Following that, a second call came in describing a reported physical confrontation occurring within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter scanned the area from the air but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Despite this, deputies found that a massive group had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and making announcements commanding those gathered to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were allotted for attendees to disperse.
At the height of the dispersal effort that upwards of 20 gunshots were discharged. The rapid succession of shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Deputies wasted no time in locating gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four individuals were confirmed as gunshot victims. All four — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their twenties — were transported to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical teams confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and helped triage the four victims at the park.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene was believed to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators found more spent casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were observed in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence indicated that at least one shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Arrests Made
Intelligence received over scanner radio traffic revealed that a Kia vehicle was contacted by law enforcement in an area within Solano County. Four suspects were detained. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for questioning. Video that was reviewed established that there were two gunmen.