Officials in Sacramento County are working a violent incident that took place late Saturday at the Howe Community Park area as deputies were dissolving a large unauthorized gathering of hundreds of attendees.
How It Started
Deputies initially got calls about Howe Community Park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after getting calls of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, additional information came in describing a possible physical fight breaking out at the location.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, authorities discovered that an enormous crowd had check here congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
When the Shots Rang Out
Officers began the process of clearing the park by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding those gathered to leave immediately. About 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Deputies immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one had moderate injuries, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, each of the four victims was stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and provided medical assistance the injured at the scene.
The Investigation
The main crime scene was determined to have taken place near the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives identified extra shell casings along Cottage Way. Round impacts were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries indicated that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Suspect Information
Information relayed over police scanner frequencies revealed that a suspect Kia was intercepted in Solano County California. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Law enforcement units were en route to collect those detained to transport the detainees for investigation. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.