Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a violent incident that unfolded late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento while officers were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park around 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Not long after, a second call came in about a reported physical confrontation taking place within the park grounds.
An overhead unit was sent to survey the area but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had come together at the location without any permit here or approval.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers commanding attendees to go home. Roughly 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots echoed through the night. The barrage of gunfire caused mass panic. Deputies swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four people were confirmed as gunshot victims. All four — a group of one female and three male victims ranging in age through their in their mid to late twenties — were brought to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and aided in treating those with gunshot wounds on location.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was believed to have occurred on Cottage Way near the local Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators found more spent casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were discovered in the wrought iron fence bordering the Home Depot. This evidence suggested that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Reports confirmed through scanner monitoring revealed that a suspect Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four suspects were held for questioning. Sacramento law enforcement were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators showed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.