Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while law enforcement were dissolving an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about Howe Community Park around half past six in the evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, additional information came in mentioning a possible physical fight taking place within the park grounds.
Aerial units searched from above but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, it became clear that an enormous crowd had assembled at the park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel set about removing people from the park by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers telling the hundreds present to leave immediately. Around 15 minutes were allotted for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots echoed through the night. Gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
The Shooting Victims
In total, four people were located with gunshot injuries. All four — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age through their Howe Park Sacramento gunfire in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical personnel stated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District arrived on scene and aided in treating those who had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene was determined to have taken place along the Cottage Way corridor close to the local Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel identified additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the metal fencing near the nearby Home Depot. These findings showed that at least one shooter had been aiming south from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Arrests Made
Details gathered through scanner monitoring established that a suspect Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four detainees were taken into custody. Law enforcement units were heading to pick up the four detainees to pick up those detained for questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators established that two shooters had been involved.