Officials in Sacramento County are examining a shooting incident that took place Saturday evening at Howe Park while law enforcement were breaking up an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement initially got calls about Howe Community Park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, another report was received mentioning a potential altercation taking place at the location.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, it became clear that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and announcing over their public address systems directing those gathered to clear out. About 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 gunshots echoed through the night. The rapid succession of shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement at once began finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four individuals were confirmed as gunshot victims. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims each reported to be in their early to late twenties — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses stated that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Fortunately, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento fire crews also responded and helped triage the injured prior to hospital transport.
The Investigation
The center of the incident was determined to have unfolded near the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators located additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Round impacts were discovered in the iron perimeter fence alongside the Home Depot store. These findings indicated that a shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down while unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location throughout the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Details gathered through scanner monitoring confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Law enforcement units were heading to pick up the four detainees to collect the individuals for questioning. Surveillance footage revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.