Sacramento County deputies are looking into a gunfire incident that erupted Saturday night April 18 at Howe Park while authorities were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially responded to the park on Howe Avenue just after 6:30 in the evening after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Shortly after, another report was received concerning an alleged brawl unfolding at the location.
An overhead unit scanned the area from the air but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it became clear that a massive group had come together at the location without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers ordering the assembled crowd to go home. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Responding personnel quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four individuals were located with gunshot injuries. The shooting victims — made up of one woman and three men all believed to be in their mid to late twenties — were brought to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians reported that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and aided in treating shooting victims on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire seemed to have taken place near Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel identified extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence showed that at least one shooter had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in an area within website Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Video evidence made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.