Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a shooting that broke out Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while officers were shutting down an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to Howe Park around half past six in the evening after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a follow-up call Cottage Way shooting Sacramento was made describing a reported physical confrontation breaking out inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. Even so, it became clear that several hundred individuals had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Law enforcement personnel moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems telling the crowd to clear out. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for individuals to vacate.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition echoed through the night. The shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
In total, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their 20s — were brought to area medical facilities. Emergency physicians confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento fire crews arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage the injured prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire seemed to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel recovered additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were discovered in the iron perimeter fence near the Home Depot store. This evidence confirmed that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel worked tirelessly for hours.
Suspect Information
Information obtained via scanner audio indicated that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in the Solano County area. Four occupants were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence made clear that two shooters had been involved.