Gunfire Erupts at Howe Park Leaves Four People Injured in Arden-Arcade Sacramento
Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a gun violence incident that took place late Saturday at Howe Community Park as deputies were dissolving an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Deputies initially got calls about Howe Park at about half past six in the evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a second call came in regarding an alleged brawl occurring within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, it became clear that an enormous crowd had come together at the location without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units moved to clear the area by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems commanding the hundreds present to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. The barrage of gunfire caused mass panic. Officers quickly moved to searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
In total, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to nearby hospitals. Hospital staff noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
Sacramento fire crews arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene seemed to have unfolded on Cottage Way adjacent to the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law Howe Park shooting Sacramento enforcement investigators recovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were identified in the wrought iron fence alongside the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence pointed to that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed through scanner monitoring showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in Solano County California. Four people were stopped and detained. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.