Sacramento authorities are looking into a shooting that unfolded Saturday night April 18 website at Howe Park in Sacramento as authorities were dissolving an unlawful assembly of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about the Arden-Arcade park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Not long after, a second call came in about a possible fight unfolding at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, it was apparent that hundreds of people had assembled at the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers moved to clear the area by positioning themselves around the crowd and announcing over their public address systems telling the hundreds present to go home. Around 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The shots triggered a stampede. Deputies at once began finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four victims were found to have been shot. All four — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their twenties — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and helped triage those with gunshot wounds at the scene.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was determined to have taken place on Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators discovered extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were identified in the iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was put under lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a suspect Kia was intercepted in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Law enforcement units were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Video evidence revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.