Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a shooting that broke out on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were shutting down an unlawful assembly of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Law enforcement initially responded to the Arden-Arcade park shortly before 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, a second caller reported mentioning a potential altercation breaking out within the park grounds.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, authorities discovered that a crowd of several hundred had congregated at Howe Park without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and making announcements directing the hundreds present to clear out. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that upwards of 20 gunshots were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies immediately began finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their 20s at the time of the incident — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel stated that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews also responded and helped care for those who had been shot at the park.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was believed to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park near the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators recovered additional spent rounds along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were observed in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the Home Depot. These discoveries showed that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction click here from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was locked down as a precaution. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working for hours.
Arrests Made
Details gathered over police scanner frequencies showed that a suspect Kia had been stopped in Solano County. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were en route to collect those detained to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence confirmed that there were two gunmen.