Sacramento County deputies are working a violent incident that took place late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as law enforcement were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of hundreds of attendees.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made regarding a reported physical confrontation breaking out inside the park.
A sheriff's airship was sent to survey the area but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers directing the hundreds present to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were allotted for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Deputies at once began searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four gunshot victims were discovered with shooting injuries. Those injured — including a female and three males all believed to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to nearby hospitals. Medical teams reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department were called to the scene and helped triage the injured on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire seemed to have been concentrated near the Cottage Way corridor alongside the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators located more spent casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were also found in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot store. These findings showed 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 locked down for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene for hours.
Suspects Detained
Information obtained via scanner audio showed that a suspect Kia had been detained in the Solano County area. Four suspects were detained. Sheriff's units were here en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for investigation. Video that was reviewed confirmed that there were two gunmen.