Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a violent incident that occurred late Saturday at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time officers were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of a crowd of several hundred.

Background

Deputies initially got calls about Howe Community Park at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. After that, a follow-up call was made regarding a possible fight happening at the location.

A law enforcement helicopter flew over the park but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, deputies found that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without official sanction.

How the Shooting Unfolded

Law enforcement personnel worked to disperse the crowd by encircling the gathering and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the assembled crowd to clear out. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.

Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The sudden gunfire sent hundreds fleeing. Deputies at once began finding those who had been shot.

The Shooting Victims

Ultimately, four gunshot victims were found to have been shot. Those injured — consisting of one woman and three men all believed to be in their twenties — were transported to Sacramento area hospitals. Hospital staff reported that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.

Sacramento fire crews also responded and aided in treating those with gunshot wounds prior to hospital unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento transport.

The Investigation

Most of the gunfire seemed to have occurred on the Cottage Way side of the park alongside the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives recovered more spent casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were noted in the iron perimeter fence near the Home Depot store. This evidence suggested that at least one shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel remained on scene well into the night.

Detainees in Solano County

Information relayed via scanner audio revealed that a Kia had been stopped in Solano County California. Four suspects were stopped and detained. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Video reviewed at the scene confirmed that there were two gunmen.