Sacramento County deputies are looking into a gun violence incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community read more Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the moment officers were dispersing an unauthorized event of multiple hundreds of people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to the park on Howe Avenue at about 6:30 Saturday evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, a second call came in mentioning a reported physical confrontation occurring at the location.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies set about removing people from the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers directing those gathered to vacate the area. Approximately 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The sudden gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Officers wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. The four individuals — consisting of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their 20s — were rushed to area medical facilities. Hospital staff stated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and assisted with medical triage the injured on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
The center of the incident was confirmed to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators found additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Ballistic damage were observed in the iron fence near the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence indicated that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications established that a Kia vehicle had been detained in the Solano County area. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that there were two gunmen.