Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a violent incident that occurred late Saturday at Howe Community Park at the moment authorities were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
What Led to the Shooting
Deputies were first dispatched to Howe Park just after 6:30 PM after getting calls of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Following that, another report was received concerning an alleged brawl occurring at the location.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. However, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had packed into the park without official sanction.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and making announcements commanding the crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were spent for the gathering to break up.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. The barrage of gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Law enforcement immediately began finding those who had been shot.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. All four — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to nearby hospitals. Doctors and nurses reported that two victims were in serious condition, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one person's injuries were considered minor. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and helped triage shooting victims prior to hospital transport.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene seemed to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel located more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were identified in the iron fence near the Home Depot. This evidence confirmed that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down while law enforcement worked the area. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene well into the night.
Arrests Made
Information obtained via scanner audio indicated that a vehicle identified as a Kia was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were Cottage Way shooting Sacramento taken into custody. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to pick up those detained for investigation. Footage analyzed by investigators confirmed that two individuals had fired weapons.