Officials in Sacramento County are probing a gunfire incident that broke out on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento while authorities were dispersing an unauthorized event of hundreds of attendees.
Prior to the Shooting
Deputies were first called to the park shortly before 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, additional information came in describing an alleged brawl taking place at the location.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but reported no active disturbance. Nevertheless, it became clear that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units moved to clear the area by surrounding the park and making announcements telling those gathered to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The shots caused mass panic. Officers immediately began locating gunshot victims.
Those Who Were Hit
When the dust settled, four individuals were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — a group of one female and three male victims ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians reported that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage shooting victims at the scene.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene seemed to have unfolded near the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators located more spent casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were discovered in the wrought iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. This evidence suggested that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way aimed Howe Community Park shooting 2026 at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working late into the evening.
Detainees in Solano County
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies indicated that a suspect Kia was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four people were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were en route to collect those detained to transport the detainees for investigation. Video evidence established that two shooters had been involved.