Sacramento authorities are probing a gunfire incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as authorities were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
Prior to the Shooting
Law enforcement initially got calls about the park on Howe Avenue at about 6:30 PM after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Shortly after, a second call came in about an alleged brawl happening within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter scanned the area from the air but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Even so, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Officers moved to clear the area by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers directing attendees to disperse at once. Around 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 gunshots were discharged. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
Ultimately, four people were identified as having gunshot wounds. All four — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their twenties — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical teams indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and provided medical assistance the four victims at the park.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire was determined to have been concentrated adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators located extra shell casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were identified in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot store. These discoveries confirmed that at least one of the shooters had been aiming south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot store. The store itself was secured under a brief lockdown during the incident. CSI units alongside detectives stayed at the location through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Details gathered over police scanner frequencies showed that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in Solano County. Four suspects were detained. Deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to bring the suspects back for questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that Cottage Way shooting Sacramento there were two gunmen.