Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are investigating a shooting that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time deputies were dispersing an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
What Led to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially responded to the Arden-Arcade park around 6:30 PM after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made mentioning a potential altercation unfolding inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had packed into the park without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers telling the hundreds present to clear out. Approximately 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement swiftly started locating gunshot victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Hospital staff reported that two victims were in serious condition, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one had injuries classified as minor. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire also responded and aided in treating the four victims at the park.
The Investigation
The bulk of the shooting appears to have happened adjacent to Cottage Way next to the Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives located additional spent rounds scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence showed that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot. The store itself was secured more info under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives kept processing evidence late into the evening.
Detainees in Solano County
Intelligence received through law enforcement radio communications showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in nearby Solano County. Four suspects were held for questioning. Sheriff's units were dispatched to Solano County to collect the individuals for investigation. Video evidence established that two shooters had been involved.