Officials in Sacramento County are probing a violent incident that broke out on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as authorities were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to the Arden-Arcade park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Soon after, additional information came in about a possible physical fight unfolding at Howe Park.
An overhead unit scanned the area from the air but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, it was evident that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without any permit or approval.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing attendees to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The rapid succession of shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel wasted no time in identifying shooting victims.
The Shooting Victims
In total, four victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman each reported to be in their 20s — were brought to Sacramento area hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. Thankfully, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento fire crews arrived on scene and helped triage shooting victims at the scene.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene was believed to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way corridor alongside the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators recovered extra shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were discovered in the iron fence surrounding the nearby Home Depot. These findings showed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. The Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. CSI units alongside detectives continued working throughout the night.
Suspect Information
Information relayed via scanner audio established that a Kia connected to the shooting had been stopped in Solano County. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were sent to retrieve the detainees to transport the detainees for questioning. Video evidence made clear that two separate shooters participated more info in the incident.