Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a shooting incident that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time officers were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Shortly after, a second caller reported concerning an alleged brawl breaking out at Howe Park.
Air support flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without any permit or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Law enforcement personnel moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling the crowd to disperse at once. About 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Law enforcement immediately began looking for those injured.
Four People Shot
By the time the scene was secured, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were rushed to area medical facilities. Medical teams confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one had moderate injuries, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, no fatalities were reported and all four Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and aided in treating those who had been shot on location.
Physical Evidence
The primary shooting scene was confirmed to have happened along Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot store at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives identified additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Round impacts were observed in the metal fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly throughout the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Surveillance footage revealed that there were two gunmen.