Officials in Sacramento County are examining a violent incident that erupted late Saturday at Howe Community Park as authorities were dissolving an unauthorized event of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Deputies were first called to the Arden-Arcade park at approximately 6:30 in the evening after obtaining information of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Not long after, a second call came in about a potential altercation occurring within the park grounds.
Aerial units was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it was evident that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling those gathered to clear out. Around 15 minutes were allotted for attendees to disperse.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The sudden gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Officers immediately began looking for those injured.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — consisting of one woman and three men all believed to be in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, all four victims survived and were more info stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and helped triage the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene seemed to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators located more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the wrought iron fence alongside the nearby Home Depot. These discoveries showed that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received through law enforcement radio communications showed that a Kia had been stopped in Solano County. Four suspects were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for questioning. Video evidence confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.