Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a gun violence incident that broke out late Saturday at Howe Park at the moment officers were clearing an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first called to the park on Howe Avenue just after 6:30 in the evening after learning of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, additional information came in regarding an alleged brawl breaking out inside the park.
Aerial units scanned the area from the air but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Nevertheless, it was evident that a massive group had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems instructing the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Roughly 15 minutes were allotted for individuals to vacate.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Responding personnel at more info once began finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were taken to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical personnel noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire arrived on scene and provided medical assistance those who had been shot at the park.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene appears 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 Ave. Detectives identified more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were discovered in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the Home Depot. These findings indicated that at least one shooter had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives continued working throughout the night.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed through scanner monitoring showed that a Kia vehicle was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four individuals were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Surveillance footage confirmed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.