Sacramento authorities are probing a violent incident that broke out on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento just as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
Prior to the Shooting
Law enforcement initially got calls about Howe Community Park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, additional information came in about a reported physical confrontation breaking out inside the park.
An overhead unit searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. However, authorities discovered that a massive group had assembled at the park without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems directing attendees to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were given for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement swiftly started searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
In total, four more info gunshot victims were found to have been shot. The four individuals — including a female and three males all believed to be in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Emergency physicians stated that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews were called to the scene and helped care for those with gunshot wounds at the scene.
Evidence at the Scene
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives located further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the wrought iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot store. The Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives stayed at the location late into the evening.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Details gathered through scanner monitoring confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in Solano County. Four individuals were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.