Sacramento authorities are probing a gun violence incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Community Park at the time law enforcement were dissolving an unauthorized event of a crowd of several hundred.
How It Started
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 in the evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Shortly after, a second call came in mentioning a possible fight unfolding inside the park.
Aerial units searched from above but reported no active disturbance. Nevertheless, deputies found that read more an enormous crowd had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by positioning themselves around the crowd and announcing over their public address systems directing the hundreds present to go home. Nearly 15 minutes were allotted for individuals to vacate.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel quickly moved to searching for victims.
Four People Shot
In total, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses noted that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one victim's wounds were minor. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and assisted with medical triage the four victims prior to hospital transport.
The Investigation
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have unfolded along the Cottage Way corridor alongside the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel located further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot. This evidence indicated that a shooter had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot. The store itself was temporarily locked down as a precaution. CSI investigators and detectives continued working late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four suspects were held for questioning. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.