Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a shooting that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park at the moment authorities were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue at about 6:30 PM after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, additional information came in about a potential altercation occurring at the location.
An overhead unit searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, it was evident that hundreds of people had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units set about removing people from the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and making announcements commanding the assembled crowd to vacate the area. Around 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
In total, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were taken to area medical facilities. Hospital staff stated that two were treated for serious read more injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The primary shooting scene was believed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way corridor close to the Home Depot store on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators found additional spent rounds throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were observed in the metal fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries showed that at least one shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained through scanner monitoring revealed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to collect the individuals for further questioning. Video evidence made clear that two shooters had been involved.