Officials in Sacramento County are looking into a shooting that unfolded late Saturday at the Howe Community Park area while officers were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to Howe Community Park shortly before 6:30 PM after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Not long after, a second call came in concerning a reported physical confrontation taking place within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Officers set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems directing attendees to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds echoed through the night. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies wasted no time in searching for victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four people were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — made up of one woman and three men all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were transported to Sacramento area hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. Fortunately, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and helped care for those who had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have been concentrated adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators found additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were discovered in the iron perimeter fence near the Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that a second shooter had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed via scanner audio confirmed that a Kia was contacted here by law enforcement in Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Surveillance footage showed that two individuals had fired weapons.