Violence at Howe Community Park Leaves Four People Injured in the Arden-Arcade Area of Sacramento

Law enforcement in Sacramento are working a violent incident that occurred on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time authorities were shutting down an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.

Before the Gunfire

Deputies were first called to the Arden-Arcade park at about half past six in the evening after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Shortly after, a second caller reported describing a reported physical confrontation unfolding within the park grounds.

A sheriff's airship conducted an aerial sweep but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Despite this, it became clear that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without authorization.

When the Shots Rang Out

Officers started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems directing the assembled crowd to go home. Around 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.

At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were fired. The barrage of gunfire triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies swiftly started searching for victims.

The Shooting Victims

Ultimately, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman all reportedly in their twenties — were taken to nearby hospitals. Medical personnel indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.

Sacramento Metro Fire assisted at the location and aided in treating the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.

Crime Scene Evidence

The center of the incident seemed to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park next to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. CSI personnel located more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet holes were identified in the iron perimeter fence adjacent to the Home Depot. These findings pointed to that a second shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown during the incident. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location through the early morning hours.

Suspects Detained

Reports confirmed through scanner monitoring showed that a Kia vehicle was contacted by law enforcement in an area within Solano County. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were traveling to Solano County to pick up those detained for further questioning. Surveillance footage showed that here two separate shooters participated in the incident.