Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are examining a gun violence incident that took place Saturday evening at Howe Park in Sacramento while law enforcement were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Deputies initially responded to the park around 6:30 in the evening after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Not long after, a second call came in describing a potential altercation happening inside the park.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had congregated at Howe Park without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Officers worked to disperse the crowd by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering those gathered to go home. Around 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds were fired. The rapid succession of shots caused mass panic. Responding personnel quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
In total, four victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age through their in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to nearby hospitals. Emergency physicians stated that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. As of last report, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and provided medical assistance the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The center of the incident was confirmed to have unfolded near Cottage Way alongside the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were noted in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot. These findings confirmed that a shooter had been firing southward from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement website detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Information obtained via scanner audio established that a Kia vehicle was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four occupants were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to collect the individuals for questioning. Video evidence confirmed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.