Sacramento authorities Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation are working a shooting that took place late Saturday at Howe Community Park just as authorities were breaking up an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement initially got calls about Howe Park at about 6:30 PM after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made mentioning a possible physical fight taking place near the park.
Air support scanned the area from the air but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, deputies found that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without official sanction.
When the Shots Rang Out
Officers moved to clear the area by setting up around the park's perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding the crowd to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were spent for attendees to disperse.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Officers quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — consisting of one woman and three men all believed to be in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses stated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one had injuries classified as minor. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and provided medical assistance the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene was believed to have occurred near Cottage Way next to the local Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel found further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were identified in the iron perimeter fence bordering the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence confirmed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was temporarily locked down as a precaution. Crime scene technicians and detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Detainees in Solano County
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications established that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in the Solano County area. Four people were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for investigation. Video evidence made clear that two shooters had been involved.