Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a shooting that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento as deputies were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
How It Started
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to Howe Park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Not long after, a second call came in concerning an alleged brawl taking place at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but reported no active disturbance. However, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units set about removing people from the park by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers commanding the crowd to clear check here out. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers immediately began identifying shooting victims.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were brought to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians indicated that two were treated for serious injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and assisted with medical triage shooting victims at the park.
The Investigation
Most of the gunfire appears to have taken place on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Detectives discovered extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Round impacts were noted in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence pointed to that a shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives continued working through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies established that a suspect Kia was contacted by law enforcement in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Video that was reviewed established that there were two gunmen.