Chaos at Howe Community Park Results in Four People Injured in Sacramento's Arden-Arcade
Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are looking into a violent incident that unfolded Saturday evening at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area just as law enforcement were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
How It Started
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to the park on Howe Avenue at about 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a second caller reported regarding a reported physical confrontation happening at the location.
Aerial units was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, it was apparent that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling attendees to clear out. Around 15 minutes were given for attendees to disperse.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that an estimated 20 to 25 shots cut through the air. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Law enforcement quickly moved to searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Altogether, four individuals were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff noted that two were treated for serious injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and helped care for the injured prior to hospital transport.
Evidence at the Scene
The bulk of the shooting was confirmed to have taken place near the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel identified more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were discovered in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot store. This evidence confirmed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot store. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down during the incident. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Intelligence received through law enforcement read more radio communications indicated that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four suspects were detained. Sheriff's units were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for formal questioning. Surveillance footage confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.