Sacramento County deputies are investigating a shooting incident that took place late Saturday at the Howe Community Park area at the moment authorities were shutting down an unauthorized event of a crowd of several hundred.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to the park shortly before 6:30 in the evening after being notified of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, a second caller reported concerning a reported physical confrontation taking place at the location.
Aerial units was sent to survey the area but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Nevertheless, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without permission.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding the assembled crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 gunshots rang out. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Officers wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
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 early to late twenties — were unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento transported to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical personnel stated that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department provided support and helped care for the injured at the park.
The Investigation
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have happened along Cottage Way near the Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators discovered more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. These findings pointed to that at least one shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Information obtained via scanner audio revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was intercepted in Solano County California. Four suspects were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for investigation. Video evidence made clear that there were two gunmen.