Chaos at Howe Community Park Leaves 4 People Shot in Sacramento's Arden-Arcade
Sacramento County deputies are looking into a violent incident that broke out Saturday night April 18 at Howe Community Park just as law enforcement were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
How It Started
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at Howe Park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, another report was received mentioning a possible physical fight unfolding at Howe Park.
A sheriff's airship searched from above but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, it was apparent that an enormous Howe Park Sacramento gunfire crowd had assembled at the park without permission.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Deputies moved to clear the area by surrounding the park and using their vehicle PA systems commanding those gathered to vacate the area. Around 15 minutes were allotted for individuals to vacate.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. Gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four individuals were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men all believed to be in their twenties — were transported to area medical facilities. Medical teams stated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage shooting victims on location.
Physical Evidence
The center of the incident was confirmed to have taken place near the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators recovered additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Projectile impacts were noted in the wrought iron fence near the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence pointed to that a second shooter had been sending rounds south from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was temporarily locked down while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene for hours.
Suspect Information
Information obtained over scanner radio traffic confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting had been stopped in Solano County. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Video that was reviewed showed that two shooters had been involved.