Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a violent incident that erupted Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
Prior to the Shooting
Deputies first arrived at Howe Park at approximately 6:30 in the evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Soon after, additional information came in regarding an alleged brawl happening near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Even so, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had come together at the location without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers directing those gathered to go home. About 15 minutes were provided for the gathering to break up.
Just as the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel at once began finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four gunshot victims were unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their early to late twenties — were transported to nearby hospitals. Hospital staff confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire assisted at the location and provided medical assistance shooting victims prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
The main crime scene was believed to have been concentrated along Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives identified additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Round impacts were discovered in the metal fencing bordering the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence showed that at least one shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained over police scanner frequencies indicated that a suspect Kia had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Surveillance footage revealed that two shooters had been involved.