Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a gunfire incident that took place late Saturday at Howe Community Park just as deputies were dissolving a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about Howe Park at approximately 6:30 PM after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. After that, another report was received about a potential altercation unfolding inside the park.
An overhead unit scanned the area from the air but came back with no confirmation of a fight. However, authorities discovered that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without authorization.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and issuing commands over loudspeakers directing the hundreds present to disperse at once. Around 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The sudden gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four people were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men all believed to be in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Medical teams confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento assisted at the location and assisted with medical triage the four victims on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene appears to have unfolded on the Cottage Way corridor next to the Howe Park Sacramento gunfire Home Depot store on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel identified extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were observed in the iron perimeter fence bordering the Home Depot store. These findings confirmed that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene for hours.
Arrests Made
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies showed that a Kia had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four people were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to collect those detained to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Surveillance footage showed that two individuals had fired weapons.