Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a shooting incident that unfolded Saturday evening at Howe Community Park at the moment deputies were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park just after half past six in the evening after obtaining information of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, additional information came in describing a potential altercation occurring inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter scanned the area from the air but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Nevertheless, it became clear that hundreds of people had packed into the park without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel set about removing people from the park by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems telling attendees to vacate the area. Around 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds were fired. Gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Responding personnel immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four individuals were confirmed as gunshot victims. All four — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses stated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and provided medical assistance shooting victims at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene seemed to have occurred adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park next to the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives recovered additional shell casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were discovered in the metal fencing near the Home Depot. This evidence pointed to that a shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The store itself was secured under a brief lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives worked tirelessly throughout the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Reports read more confirmed through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a suspect Kia was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video that was reviewed showed that there were two gunmen.