Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a shooting incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up a large unauthorized gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement initially got calls about the park around 6:30 PM after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a second call came in describing a possible physical fight happening at the location.
A sheriff's airship conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. However, it became clear that several hundred individuals had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units moved to clear the area by encircling the gathering and making announcements instructing the assembled crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were spent for the gathering to break up.
Just as the crowd began to move check here that 20 to 25 gunshots echoed through the night. The rapid succession of shots sent hundreds fleeing. Officers at once began finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — consisting of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their 20s — were taken to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage the injured prior to hospital transport.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene was believed to have occurred adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives discovered more spent casings on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were also found in the iron fence near the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence showed that a shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was temporarily locked down while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location for hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies indicated that a Kia vehicle had been detained in the Solano County area. Four suspects were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video that was reviewed showed that two shooters had been involved.