Sacramento County deputies are probing a violent incident that took place on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as officers were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of hundreds of attendees.
Background
Deputies first arrived at the Arden-Arcade park at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Not long after, a follow-up call was made concerning a potential altercation occurring near the park.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, deputies found that a massive group had come together at the location without authorization.
When the Shots Rang Out
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the assembled crowd to go home. Roughly 15 minutes were given for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Law enforcement swiftly started locating gunshot victims.
The Shooting Victims
When the dust settled, four gunshot victims were confirmed as gunshot victims. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their 20s at the time of the incident — were taken to nearby hospitals. Emergency physicians stated that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Thankfully, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire provided support and assisted with medical triage shooting victims before they were taken to Cottage Way shooting Sacramento the hospital.
The Investigation
The main crime scene was confirmed to have unfolded along the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot store on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators identified more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were observed in the wrought iron fence bordering the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that a shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was locked down for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working for hours.
Suspects Detained
Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications confirmed that a Kia was intercepted in Solano County California. Four occupants were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for formal questioning. Video that was reviewed made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.