Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a gun violence incident that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the moment Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dissolving an unlawful assembly of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to Howe Community Park shortly before 6:30 in the evening after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Shortly after, a second caller reported mentioning a potential altercation happening at the location.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had assembled at the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Officers began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the hundreds present to clear out. Roughly 15 minutes were given for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The sudden gunfire caused mass panic. Deputies wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four people were confirmed as gunshot victims. The victims — comprising three men and one woman all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses noted that two had critical injury classifications, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento Metro get more info Fire assisted at the location and aided in treating those with gunshot wounds before they were taken to the hospital.
Crime Scene Evidence
The center of the incident was determined to have occurred near the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives discovered additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Round impacts were also found in the iron perimeter fence alongside the Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that at least one shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives kept processing evidence throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained through scanner monitoring showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was pulled over in Solano County. Four occupants were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators confirmed that there were two gunmen.