Sacramento authorities are looking into a gunfire incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as officers were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 in the evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a second caller reported regarding a possible fight unfolding inside the park.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had come together at the location in an unauthorized manner.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers set about removing people from the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling the hundreds present to disperse at once. Around 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were discharged. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
By the time the scene was secured, four individuals were confirmed as gunshot victims. The four individuals — comprising three men and one woman each reported to be in their check here 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento Metro Fire were called to the scene and aided in treating the injured at the park.
The Investigation
The main crime scene was believed to have unfolded near the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel found extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were noted in the iron perimeter fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. These findings pointed to that one of the gunmen had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown for a period of time. CSI investigators and detectives stayed at the location for hours.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring established that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for formal questioning. Video reviewed at the scene made clear that two individuals had fired weapons.