Sacramento County deputies are looking into a shooting incident that took place Saturday evening at Howe Park in Sacramento while Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispersing an unsanctioned gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to the park just after 6:30 PM after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, additional information came in regarding a potential altercation happening within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but reported no active disturbance. Despite this, it became clear that a massive group had gathered without authorization without official sanction.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by encircling the gathering and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing attendees to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four individuals were found to have been shot. The four individuals — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were transported to nearby hospitals. Hospital staff noted that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and aided in treating those who had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene seemed to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel identified additional spent rounds throughout the Cottage Way area. Ballistic damage were also found in the wrought iron fence surrounding the nearby Home Depot. read more These findings pointed to that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence for hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Reports confirmed over police scanner frequencies showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County. Four people were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for investigation. Surveillance footage showed that two shooters had been involved.