Officials in Sacramento County are probing a shooting that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time law enforcement were breaking up an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement were first called to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Not long after, a follow-up call was made regarding an alleged brawl taking place at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter scanned the area from the air but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, it was evident that hundreds of people had packed into the park without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers commanding the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Roughly 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 gunshots cut through the air. The shots caused mass panic. Law enforcement swiftly started searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals get more info — comprising three men and one woman each reported to be in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Medical teams reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and helped care for those with gunshot wounds at the park.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park close to the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives recovered extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were noted in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot. The physical evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in the Solano County area. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Sheriff's units were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Video evidence revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.