Officials in Sacramento County are examining a shooting that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as deputies were breaking up an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to Howe Community Park just after 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made concerning an alleged brawl breaking out within the park grounds.
Aerial units searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, it was evident that hundreds of people had assembled at the park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units worked to disperse the crowd by positioning themselves around the crowd and using their vehicle PA systems directing the crowd to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that between 20 and 25 rounds were fired. Gunfire caused mass panic. Law enforcement at once began identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four individuals were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel noted that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot at the park.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have unfolded along Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives identified more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were noted in the wrought iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. These findings pointed to that a shooter had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic here indicated that a suspect Kia was intercepted in Solano County California. Four people were held for questioning. Deputies were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that two shooters had been involved.