Sacramento authorities are investigating a shooting incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Park at the moment authorities were breaking up an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
Background
Deputies were first called to Howe Park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, a second call came in regarding an alleged brawl happening near the park.
An overhead unit searched from above but came back with no confirmation of a fight. However, authorities discovered that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems instructing the crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were allotted for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
When the dust settled, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — consisting of one woman and three men each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical personnel reported that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage shooting victims prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene was believed to have been concentrated adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators discovered here further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot. The physical evidence showed that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in nearby Solano County. Four people 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 further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.