Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a shooting that took place late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as authorities were breaking up an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first dispatched to the park shortly before half past six in the evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, a second caller reported about a potential altercation breaking out at the location.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, it was evident that hundreds of people had come together at the location in an unauthorized manner.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by surrounding the park and making announcements ordering the crowd to disperse at once. Around 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
Four People Shot
Ultimately, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were rushed to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire arrived on scene and helped triage those who had been shot at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The primary shooting scene was believed to have occurred near Cottage Way close to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Law enforcement investigators discovered more spent casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were observed in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside website detectives stayed at the location late into the evening.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications revealed that a suspect Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four people were stopped and detained. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Surveillance footage made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.