Sacramento County deputies are looking into a shooting incident that broke out Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as officers were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about the park around half past six in the evening after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, a second caller reported mentioning a possible fight unfolding within the park grounds.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without permission.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel set about removing people from the park by surrounding the park and more info announcing over their public address systems ordering those gathered to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that upwards of 20 gunshots cut through the air. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Officers at once began searching for victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four individuals 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 transported to nearby hospitals. Medical teams stated that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and helped triage shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was determined to have occurred along the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot store on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Investigators found additional spent rounds scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the metal fencing alongside the Home Depot. This evidence showed that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down as a precaution. Crime scene personnel worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been stopped in Solano County California. Four suspects were detained. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Video evidence showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.