Sacramento County deputies are looking into a shooting that broke out Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time authorities were shutting down Howe Park Sacramento gunfire an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
How It Started
Deputies first arrived at the park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a second caller reported concerning a potential altercation happening within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Nevertheless, it became clear that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without permission.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies set about removing people from the park by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems ordering the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
In total, four gunshot victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were airlifted or driven to nearby hospitals. Medical teams confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and helped care for the injured at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene was confirmed to have happened adjacent to Cottage Way alongside the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives recovered extra shell casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were observed in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. These findings suggested that a second shooter had been firing southward from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting was pulled over in Solano County California. Four occupants were held for questioning. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that there were two gunmen.