Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a gun violence incident that occurred Saturday evening at Howe Park in Sacramento at the moment authorities were clearing an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Deputies initially got calls about the park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, a second caller reported concerning an alleged brawl unfolding near the park.
A sheriff's airship flew over the park but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, deputies found that a massive group had come together at the location without permission.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers set about removing people from the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and issuing commands over loudspeakers commanding the assembled crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds echoed through the night. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Officers quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. click here The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men ranging in age through their in their mid to late twenties — were rushed to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and aided in treating shooting victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting appears to have occurred adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park near the Home Depot store at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel identified additional shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the metal fencing bordering the Home Depot. The physical evidence confirmed that a shooter had been sending rounds south from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The store itself was locked down while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspect Information
Details gathered over police scanner frequencies revealed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four suspects were taken into custody. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene established that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.