Chaos at Howe Community Park Results in Four Victims Wounded in Sacramento County's Arden-Arcade Neighborhood

Officials in Sacramento County are examining a violent incident that unfolded on the evening of April 18 at Howe Park as authorities were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.

Background

Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first dispatched to Howe Community Park at about 6:30 PM after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, additional information came in concerning a here reported physical confrontation taking place at Howe Park.

Air support conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, it was evident that an enormous crowd had come together at the location without permission.

The Moment Gunfire Erupted

Deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by setting up around the park's perimeter and announcing over their public address systems telling the assembled crowd to clear out. Around 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.

While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that upwards of 20 gunshots were fired. The shots caused mass panic. Officers swiftly started looking for those injured.

Those Who Were Hit

Altogether, four individuals were found to have been shot. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their 20s at the time of the incident — were transported to area medical facilities. Doctors and nurses reported that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.

Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and assisted with medical triage the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.

Evidence at the Scene

The center of the incident seemed to have occurred near the Cottage Way side of the park adjacent to the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives found additional shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Ballistic damage were noted in the wrought iron perimeter fencing adjacent to the nearby Home Depot. The physical evidence indicated that one of the gunmen had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The Home Depot was locked down for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working throughout the night.

Arrests Made

Details gathered through law enforcement radio communications confirmed that a suspect Kia had been detained in nearby Solano County. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were sent to retrieve the detainees to return them to Sacramento for investigation. Video that was reviewed revealed that two shooters had been involved.