Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a gun violence incident that took place Saturday evening at the Howe Community Park area while officers were shutting down an unauthorized event of an estimated several hundred individuals.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 in the evening after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, another report was received describing a potential altercation taking place inside the park.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the crowd to leave immediately. Around 15 minutes here were allowed for the crowd to leave.
As the crowd was being cleared that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Officers swiftly started searching for victims.
Four People Shot
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The shooting victims — made up of one woman and three men all believed to be in their mid to late twenties — were transported to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff stated that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. In a positive development, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire provided support and assisted with medical triage shooting victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way corridor next to the local Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel recovered extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were observed in the metal fencing near the nearby Home Depot. These findings suggested that at least one of the shooters had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Intelligence received through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for formal questioning. Surveillance footage made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.