Howe Park Shooting Leaves Four People Injured in Sacramento's Arden-Arcade

Officials in Sacramento County are probing a shooting that broke out Saturday evening at Howe Community Park as authorities were dispersing an unlawful assembly of multiple hundreds of people.

How It Started

Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first dispatched to the Arden-Arcade park shortly before 6:30 in the evening after being notified of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Soon after, another report was received about a potential altercation happening at the location.

A sheriff's airship conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Regardless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.

The Dispersal and Shooting

Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by positioning themselves around the crowd and using their here vehicle PA systems instructing the assembled crowd to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.

While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.

Four People Shot

Altogether, four people were found to have been shot. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were taken to area medical facilities. Medical teams confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.

Sacramento fire crews also responded and assisted with medical triage those who had been shot on location.

Crime Scene Evidence

Most of the gunfire seemed to have taken place along the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot store located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Investigators found extra shell casings on Cottage Way. Round impacts were also found in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot store. The physical evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been sending rounds south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location for hours.

Suspect Vehicle Located

Reports confirmed through scanner monitoring showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four occupants were held for questioning. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for formal questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators made clear that two individuals had fired weapons.