Law enforcement in Sacramento are looking into a gun violence incident that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park while authorities were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue at about half past six in the evening after obtaining information of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Not long after, additional information came in describing a reported physical confrontation happening at Howe Park.
Air support flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, deputies found that hundreds of people unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling attendees to go home. Nearly 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement swiftly started identifying shooting victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
By the time the scene was secured, four shooting victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. The victims — including a female and three males all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were transported to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and helped triage the four victims at the scene.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was believed to have unfolded on the Cottage Way corridor alongside the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators located additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the iron perimeter fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. This evidence indicated that at least one shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location well into the night.
Arrests Made
Information relayed over police scanner frequencies established that a Kia connected to the shooting was pulled over in the Solano County area. Four suspects were held for questioning. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for formal questioning. Surveillance footage revealed that two shooters had been involved.