Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are examining a gun violence incident that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento as deputies were clearing an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 Saturday evening after getting calls of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, another report was received concerning a possible physical fight unfolding at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but came click here back with no confirmation of a fight. Even so, it became clear that a massive group had come together at the location without permission.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Law enforcement personnel moved to clear the area by surrounding the park and announcing over their public address systems ordering those gathered to disperse at once. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. Gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to area medical facilities. Medical personnel stated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
Most of the gunfire was believed to have unfolded along the Cottage Way corridor close to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators identified additional spent rounds scattered along Cottage Way. Round impacts were discovered in the wrought iron perimeter fencing surrounding the Home Depot. These discoveries pointed to that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown as a precaution. CSI units alongside detectives stayed at the location through the early morning hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information relayed over police scanner frequencies confirmed that a Kia was pulled over in an area within Solano County. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for formal questioning. Surveillance footage made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.