Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a shooting incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time authorities were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
Background
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first dispatched to Howe Community Park around half past six in the evening after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Following that, a second caller reported regarding a possible fight occurring at the location.
A sheriff's airship conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was evident that hundreds of people had come together at the location without permission.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by positioning themselves around the crowd and making announcements directing the hundreds present to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were spent for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds echoed through the night. Gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies immediately read more began looking for those injured.
Four Gunshot Victims
In total, four individuals were located with gunshot injuries. All four — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to area medical facilities. Emergency physicians confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and assisted with medical triage those with gunshot wounds on location.
Crime Scene Evidence
The main crime scene was believed to have happened on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Investigators recovered extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were observed in the wrought iron fence alongside the Home Depot store. The physical evidence suggested that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown during the incident. CSI investigators and detectives continued working through the early morning hours.
Arrests Made
Details gathered via scanner audio confirmed that a suspect Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene showed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.