Sacramento County deputies are working a shooting incident that broke out Saturday night April 18 at the Howe Community Park area just as officers were breaking up a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
Prior to the Shooting
Law enforcement first arrived at Howe Park at about 6:30 PM after receiving reports of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. After that, another report was received regarding an alleged brawl taking place inside the park.
Aerial units scanned the area from the air but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had packed into the park without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Deputies moved to clear the area by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems instructing the crowd to vacate the area. About 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 gunshots echoed through the night. The sudden gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers swiftly started looking for those injured.
The Shooting Victims
Altogether, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — made up of one woman and three men each reported to be in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams reported that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Fortunately, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and helped triage the four victims on location.
The Investigation
The bulk of the shooting appears to have taken place adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor alongside the Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives identified extra shell casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were noted in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence confirmed that a shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was locked down during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location for hours.
Arrests Made
Information obtained through scanner monitoring revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was intercepted in an area within Solano County. Four detainees were detained. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene established that two here shooters had been involved.