Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispersing a large unauthorized gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies initially got calls about the Arden-Arcade park just after 6:30 PM after receiving reports of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Not long after, a second call came in concerning an alleged brawl breaking out at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Despite this, authorities discovered that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units worked to disperse the crowd by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems directing attendees to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were spent for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. Gunfire triggered a stampede. Deputies at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four shooting victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their 20s — were rushed to area medical facilities. Medical personnel stated that two had critical injury classifications, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, all four were in stable condition.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District assisted at the location and aided in treating the injured prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
The primary shooting scene seemed to have taken place adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the Home Depot store at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators found further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the Home Depot store. This evidence showed that at least one shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was locked down while the scene was active. Crime scene technicians and detectives stayed at the location for hours.
Suspect Information
Information obtained through law enforcement radio communications indicated that a suspect Kia was intercepted in Solano County. Four individuals were unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were traveling to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that there were two gunmen.