Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are examining a shooting that broke out Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park at the time authorities were shutting down an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement were first called to Howe Park just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, a second call came in describing a reported physical confrontation unfolding within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but came back with no confirmation of a fight. However, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Officers started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding the hundreds present to disperse at once. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to Home Depot Sacramento shooting 25 gunshots were discharged. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers at once began locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four shooting victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their twenties — were transported to nearby hospitals. Medical teams confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews assisted at the location and aided in treating the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire was determined to have taken place on the Cottage Way corridor next to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives located further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were observed in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. These findings showed that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene late into the evening.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information relayed through scanner monitoring showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four suspects were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Surveillance footage established that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.