Sacramento authorities are probing a violent incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento at the moment officers were clearing a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first called to the park on Howe Avenue just after 6:30 in the evening after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Soon after, another report was received describing an alleged brawl unfolding at website Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but reported no active disturbance. However, authorities discovered that a massive group had congregated at Howe Park in an unauthorized manner.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Officers moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and making announcements directing the crowd to vacate the area. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies quickly moved to searching for victims.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — consisting of one woman and three men each reported to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to nearby hospitals. Medical personnel confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. As of last report, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento Metro Fire assisted at the location and provided medical assistance shooting victims at the scene.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was believed to have taken place on Cottage Way alongside the local Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators discovered additional spent rounds on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet damage were identified in the iron fence bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence confirmed that a shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location for hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies established that a Kia vehicle was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four individuals were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.