Officials in Sacramento County are working a gun violence incident that occurred Saturday evening at Howe Park in Sacramento at the website time officers were dispersing an unlawful assembly of several hundred people.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park around 6:30 PM after being notified of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, a follow-up call was made describing a possible fight happening inside the park.
An overhead unit searched from above but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, authorities discovered that a crowd of several hundred had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and using their vehicle PA systems telling those gathered to vacate the area. Around 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
At the height of the dispersal effort that between 20 and 25 rounds were discharged. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — comprising three men and one woman all reportedly in their 20s — were taken to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical teams indicated that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one had injuries classified as minor. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and helped care for those with gunshot wounds at the scene.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators found additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Ballistic damage were identified in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot store. The physical evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been aiming south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot store. The Home Depot was locked down during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Arrests Made
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sheriff's units were sent to retrieve the detainees to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Video evidence established that two separate shooters participated in the incident.