Sacramento County deputies are examining a gunfire incident that took place on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time law enforcement were shutting down an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Sacramento County law enforcement were first called to Howe Community Park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Shortly after, a follow-up call was made regarding a reported physical confrontation happening at the location.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but came back with no confirmation of a fight. However, authorities discovered that an enormous crowd had congregated at Howe Park in an unauthorized manner.
How here the Shooting Unfolded
Deputies moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and announcing over their public address systems directing the hundreds present to leave immediately. Around 15 minutes were spent for individuals to vacate.
As the crowd was being cleared that an estimated 20 to 25 shots were fired. The rapid succession of shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.
The Shooting Victims
When the dust settled, four individuals were confirmed as gunshot victims. The shooting victims — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Doctors and nurses confirmed that two victims were in serious condition, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and helped care for shooting victims at the park.
The Investigation
Most of the gunfire was determined to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the Home Depot store at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot. The physical evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been firing southward from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot. The store itself was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI investigators and detectives remained on scene for hours.
Arrests Made
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring established that a vehicle identified as a Kia was pulled over in the Solano County area. Four people were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Law enforcement units were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Video evidence established that two separate shooters participated in the incident.