Sacramento authorities are examining a shooting that erupted late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time law enforcement were shutting down an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Law enforcement first arrived at the park shortly before 6:30 PM after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, another report was received regarding an alleged brawl taking place within the park grounds.
Air support was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, it was apparent that a massive group had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the assembled crowd to disperse at once. About 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that upwards of 20 gunshots were discharged. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Officers at once began looking for those injured.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their 20s — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one had injuries classified as minor. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews also responded and assisted with medical triage those with gunshot wounds before they were taken to the hospital.
The Investigation
Most of the gunfire was determined to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators found additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Ballistic damage were observed in the iron fence near the Home Depot store. This evidence pointed to that a shooter had been aiming south from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown for a period of time. CSI units alongside detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained through scanner monitoring indicated that a Kia had been detained in Solano County California. Four occupants were taken into custody. Deputies were en route to collect those detained to bring click here the suspects back for questioning. Video that was reviewed revealed that there were two gunmen.