Sacramento County deputies are probing a shooting incident that erupted Saturday evening at Howe Park while deputies were clearing an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
What Led to the Shooting
Law enforcement first arrived at the Arden-Arcade park at about 6:30 in the evening after being notified of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Not long after, a second call came in mentioning a possible fight breaking out at the location.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but reported no active disturbance. However, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding those gathered to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.
At the height of the dispersal effort that upwards of 20 gunshots were fired. The shots caused mass panic. Law enforcement wasted no time in searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four shooting victims were found to have been shot. All four — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses reported that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and aided in treating the four victims on location.
Physical Evidence
The main crime scene was believed to have unfolded near the Cottage Way corridor alongside the local Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators recovered more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Round impacts were observed in the iron fence near the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The Home Depot was locked down for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working for hours.
Suspect Information
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia vehicle was pulled over in Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano website County to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators showed that two shooters had been involved.