Sacramento County deputies are probing a gun violence incident that unfolded Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time deputies were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to the park on Howe Avenue just after 6:30 in the evening after learning of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a second call came in concerning a possible fight happening near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an Home Depot Sacramento shooting aerial sweep but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it was apparent that a massive group had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers ordering attendees to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds echoed through the night. The shots caused mass panic. Responding personnel immediately began looking for those injured.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. All four — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were rushed to area medical facilities. Medical teams reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and helped triage the injured at the park.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident seemed to have taken place along the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators recovered additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were observed in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the Home Depot store. These discoveries pointed to that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot. The store itself was locked down for a period of time. CSI investigators and detectives kept processing evidence throughout the night.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed via scanner audio confirmed that a Kia was pulled over in nearby Solano County. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for investigation. Video that was reviewed made clear that two shooters had been involved.