Sacramento authorities are probing a shooting incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time deputies were clearing an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at Howe Community Park at approximately 6:30 PM after obtaining information of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Not long after, additional information came in about a potential altercation happening at the location.
Air support searched from above but reported no active disturbance. However, deputies found that several hundred individuals had packed into the park without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems telling the crowd to clear out. Around 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 click here gunshots were discharged. The shots triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to looking for those injured.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — including a female and three males all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were taken to area medical facilities. Medical teams indicated 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. In a positive development, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and helped care for the four victims at the park.
The Investigation
The center of the incident was confirmed to have happened along Cottage Way next to the local Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives discovered additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet damage were noted in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the Home Depot. This evidence pointed to that one of the gunmen had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives continued working for hours.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received over scanner radio traffic indicated that a Kia vehicle had been detained in Solano County California. Four individuals were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.