Sacramento authorities are working a violent incident that broke out late Saturday at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as officers were dispersing an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
What Led to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first called to Howe Community Park around half past six in the evening after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Not long after, a follow-up call was made concerning a potential altercation unfolding near the park.
A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, deputies found that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without official sanction.
When the Shots Rang Out
Officers began the process of clearing the park by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers instructing those gathered to clear out. Approximately 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.
Just as the crowd began to move that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — more info were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Thankfully, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento fire crews arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage the injured at the park.
Physical Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have been concentrated near the Cottage Way side of the park close to the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Investigators located additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were noted in the metal fencing surrounding the Home Depot. These discoveries indicated that a second shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The store itself was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence for hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a Kia had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage showed that two shooters had been involved.