Sacramento County deputies are investigating a shooting that unfolded Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as deputies were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
Background
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to Howe Community Park at approximately 6:30 PM after being notified of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Soon after, a follow-up call was made describing a possible fight happening at Howe Park.
A law enforcement helicopter scanned the area from the air but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had come together at the location without permission.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units set about removing people from the park by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems telling attendees to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots cut through the check here air. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Officers quickly moved to identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their early to late twenties — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff stated that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department also responded and provided medical assistance those who had been shot at the park.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was determined to have taken place near Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot store at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators recovered additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Ballistic damage were noted in the metal fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries showed that one of the gunmen had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia was intercepted in Solano County. Four individuals were stopped and detained. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.