Law enforcement in Sacramento are probing a shooting that took place Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as law enforcement were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Deputies initially responded to Howe Community Park around 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Not long after, a follow-up call was made mentioning a possible fight taking place at Howe Park.
Air support searched from above but came back with no confirmation of a fight. However, authorities discovered that a massive group had gathered without authorization without permission.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and announcing over their public address systems instructing those gathered to go home. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Officers swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
By the time the scene was secured, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. All four — including a female and three males each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Emergency physicians noted that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire provided support and aided in treating the four victims Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation prior to hospital transport.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident was believed to have taken place along Cottage Way next to the Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators recovered additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were noted in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. These findings suggested that a shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence for hours.
Arrests Made
Intelligence received via scanner audio indicated that a suspect Kia was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four people were taken into custody. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene made clear that there were two gunmen.