Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a shooting incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Community Park just check here as law enforcement were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office first arrived at the Arden-Arcade park around 6:30 PM after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Following that, a second caller reported about a potential altercation breaking out inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Even so, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems directing attendees to vacate the area. Roughly 15 minutes were allotted for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots were discharged. Gunfire triggered a stampede. Law enforcement immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their early to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses indicated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department also responded and helped care for those who had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene was confirmed to have occurred on Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives recovered additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were observed in the wrought iron perimeter fencing surrounding the nearby Home Depot. These findings pointed to that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working for hours.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed over police scanner frequencies confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four suspects were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were heading to pick up the four detainees to pick up those detained for formal questioning. Video evidence revealed that two shooters had been involved.