Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a gun violence incident that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park at the time law enforcement were breaking up an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
How It Started
Law enforcement initially got calls about the Arden-Arcade park at approximately half past six in the evening after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Not long after, another report was received mentioning an alleged brawl occurring inside the park.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems commanding attendees to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. Gunfire triggered a stampede. Law enforcement immediately began searching for victims.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were transported to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. Thankfully, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department provided support and helped triage those with gunshot wounds before they were taken to the hospital.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident was determined to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor alongside the local Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel discovered more spent casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were noted in the iron perimeter fence near the Home Depot store. These discoveries pointed to that a shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Arrests Made
Information relayed via scanner audio revealed that a suspect Kia was pulled over in Solano County California. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sheriff's units were dispatched to Solano County to transport the detainees for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that two shooters had been check here involved.