Violence at Howe Community Park Wounds 4 People Shot in the Arden-Arcade Area of Sacramento
Sacramento authorities are investigating a shooting incident that erupted on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while officers were dispersing an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Background
Law enforcement initially got calls about Howe Park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, a follow-up call was made about a potential altercation occurring within the park grounds.
Air support searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Despite this, deputies found that several hundred individuals had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Deputies moved to clear the area by surrounding the park and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering attendees to disperse at once. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. The shots caused mass panic. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started searching for victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman each reported to be in their twenties — were brought to area medical facilities. Medical personnel reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four more info had moderate gunshot wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire arrived on scene and helped care for the four victims at the scene.
Evidence at the Scene
Most of the gunfire was believed to have taken place adjacent to Cottage Way adjacent to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives found additional shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were discovered in the wrought iron fence bordering the Home Depot store. This evidence pointed to that at least one of the shooters had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Detainees in Solano County
Information obtained over scanner radio traffic revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was intercepted in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.