Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting incident that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park at the time Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to the Arden-Arcade park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, additional information came in mentioning a potential altercation breaking out near the park.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate Home Depot Sacramento shooting the fight report. Nevertheless, it became clear that a massive group had gathered without authorization without official sanction.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Officers moved to clear the area by positioning themselves around the crowd and using their vehicle PA systems commanding the crowd to disperse at once. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were fired. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies wasted no time in identifying shooting victims.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four shooting victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Medical personnel indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire provided support and aided in treating the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene seemed to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park next to the local Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Crime scene investigators discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were discovered in the iron perimeter fence alongside the Home Depot store. These discoveries confirmed that at least one of the shooters had been firing southward from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown during the incident. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene throughout the night.
Arrests Made
Information obtained via scanner audio revealed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County. Four occupants were stopped and detained. Sheriff's units were heading to pick up the four detainees to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Video that was reviewed confirmed that two shooters had been involved.