Sacramento authorities are probing a gun violence incident that occurred Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento while Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Community Park just after 6:30 in the evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, another report was received describing a possible physical fight occurring inside the park.
An overhead unit flew over the park but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Even so, it became clear that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and making announcements commanding the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that upwards of 20 gunshots rang out. The sudden gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel wasted no time in identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
In total, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — including a female and three males all reportedly in their twenties — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff indicated that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and click here one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento also responded and assisted with medical triage the injured on location.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was believed to have taken place on Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators found extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were observed in the iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. These discoveries pointed to that at least one of the shooters had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown as a precaution. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received via scanner audio established that a Kia was pulled over in the Solano County area. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to transport the detainees for further questioning. Surveillance footage confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.