Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a gun violence incident that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time authorities were clearing an unsanctioned gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Deputies initially responded to Howe Community Park at approximately 6:30 PM after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made describing a potential altercation breaking out within the park grounds.
Air support flew over the park but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by positioning themselves around the crowd and making announcements ordering those gathered to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The barrage of gunfire sent read more the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four shooting victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses reported that two victims were in serious condition, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and provided medical assistance shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene appears to have occurred near Cottage Way near the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators found additional shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were identified in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot. The Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered over scanner radio traffic confirmed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Video reviewed at the scene confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.