Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a gun violence incident that took place Saturday evening at Howe Park at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of hundreds of attendees.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially responded to the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 in the evening after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Not long after, a second caller reported describing a reported physical confrontation happening at Howe Park.
Air support scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. Despite this, it was evident that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and making announcements telling those gathered to disperse at once. Roughly 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds were discharged. The shots triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.
Four People Shot
In total, four shooting victims were found to have been shot. All four — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses reported that two had critical injury classifications, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire were called to the scene and helped care for the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire was determined to have taken place on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel discovered more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were observed in the wrought iron fence surrounding the Home Depot store. These findings confirmed that at least one shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was locked down while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Arrests Made
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications established that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in Solano County California. Four suspects were held for questioning. Law enforcement units were heading to pick up the Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation four detainees to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that two shooters had been involved.