Sacramento authorities are examining a shooting that unfolded Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while law enforcement were shutting down an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about the park on Howe Avenue at approximately half past six in the evening after receiving reports of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. After that, another report was received mentioning a reported physical confrontation taking place inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but reported no active disturbance. Even so, it became clear that a massive group had packed into the park without permission.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling attendees to go home. Approximately 15 minutes were spent for individuals to vacate.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were fired. The rapid succession of shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel quickly moved to searching for victims.
Four People Shot
By the time the scene was secured, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — made up of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff stated that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and helped triage those who had been shot prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have been concentrated along Cottage Way next to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators located more spent casings on Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the metal fencing surrounding the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries confirmed that a second here shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown during the incident. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location for hours.
Suspects Detained
Information obtained over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia was pulled over in the Solano County area. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Law enforcement units were dispatched to Solano County to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Video that was reviewed revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.