Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a gunfire incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park as deputies were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
How It Started
Law enforcement first arrived at Howe Park shortly before half past six in the evening after getting calls of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, additional information came in mentioning a possible physical fight occurring near the park.
Aerial units was Howe Park shooting Sacramento sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems instructing attendees to disperse at once. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The sudden gunfire caused mass panic. Law enforcement immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
In total, four gunshot victims were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — including a female and three males each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were taken to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians confirmed that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and provided medical assistance shooting victims on location.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene seemed to have occurred along Cottage Way close to the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators discovered additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet damage were discovered in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence showed that at least one shooter had been aiming south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. The store itself was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI investigators and detectives kept processing evidence well into the night.
Suspect Information
Details gathered over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for investigation. Video that was reviewed confirmed that two shooters had been involved.