Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a violent incident that broke out late Saturday at Howe Park as authorities were breaking up an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first called to the park on Howe Avenue at about 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Not long after, additional information came in concerning a potential altercation taking place at Howe Park.
An overhead unit searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Nevertheless, it was evident that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without authorization.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Deputies set about removing people from the park by encircling the gathering and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the assembled crowd to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. Gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Officers quickly moved to locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their twenties — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel stated that two victims sustained immediate click here injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and provided medical assistance the four victims at the scene.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire seemed to have happened on the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot store. This evidence showed that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was put under lockdown during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic indicated that a Kia had been detained in Solano County California. Four suspects were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene made clear that there were two gunmen.