Law enforcement in Sacramento more info are working a gunfire incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time authorities were dissolving an unlawful assembly of multiple hundreds of people.
Prior to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office first arrived at the Arden-Arcade park around 6:30 PM after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Not long after, a follow-up call was made describing a reported physical confrontation occurring inside the park.
Aerial units scanned the area from the air but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Nevertheless, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had congregated at Howe Park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Law enforcement personnel started clearing the unauthorized gathering by positioning themselves around the crowd and making announcements commanding the assembled crowd to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were provided for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that upwards of 20 gunshots were fired. Gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Deputies at once began searching for victims.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. All four — made up of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their 20s — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
The main crime scene seemed to have happened near Cottage Way near the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel located extra shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Round impacts were discovered in the metal fencing surrounding the nearby Home Depot. This evidence suggested that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location well into the night.
Arrests Made
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four suspects were held for questioning. Law enforcement units were sent to retrieve the detainees to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.