Officials in Sacramento County are probing a gun violence incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Park at the moment officers were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Background
Deputies were first called to the park just after 6:30 in the evening after being notified of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Soon after, a second caller reported concerning a potential altercation happening within the park grounds.
An overhead unit searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, it was apparent that several hundred individuals had gathered without authorization in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems commanding the crowd to disperse at once. About 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were discharged. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Altogether, four gunshot victims were found to have been shot. All four — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their 20s — were taken to area medical facilities. Hospital staff noted that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one victim's wounds were minor. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and helped care for the four victims on location.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident seemed to have been concentrated adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators identified more spent casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. This evidence indicated Cottage Way shooting Sacramento that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot. The store itself was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives stayed at the location through the early morning hours.
Arrests Made
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a suspect Kia had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.