Sacramento County deputies are looking into a violent incident that took place Saturday evening at the Howe Community Park area at the moment authorities were dispersing a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Deputies were first dispatched to the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 PM after being notified of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, additional information came in mentioning a possible physical fight unfolding at the location.
Aerial units was sent to survey the area but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was apparent that hundreds of people had come together at the location in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units set about removing people from the park by surrounding the park and using their vehicle PA systems telling the hundreds present to disperse at once. About 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The rapid succession of shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Deputies immediately began looking for those injured.
Four People Shot
In total, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Emergency physicians indicated that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Fortunately, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District arrived on scene and aided in treating those with gunshot wounds prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel found additional spent rounds throughout the Cottage Way area. Projectile impacts were also found in the wrought iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries confirmed that at least one shooter had been firing southward from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was put under lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Suspects Detained
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications established that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in Solano County California. Four occupants were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to transport the detainees for investigation. Video evidence made clear that two individuals click here had fired weapons.