Officials in Sacramento County are examining a gun violence incident that took place on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were breaking up a large unauthorized gathering of several hundred people.
How It Started
Deputies initially got calls about Howe Park just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after getting calls of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, a follow-up call was made describing an alleged brawl occurring near the check here park.
An overhead unit searched from above but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Regardless, deputies found that a crowd of several hundred had assembled at the park without official sanction.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies set about removing people from the park by surrounding the park and using their vehicle PA systems ordering those gathered to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were allotted for the gathering to break up.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. The barrage of gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
In total, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — including a female and three males each apparently in their twenties — were taken to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff indicated that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and helped triage those with gunshot wounds at the scene.
What Investigators Found
The bulk of the shooting was believed to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel identified additional shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Round impacts were noted in the iron fence near the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence confirmed that one of the gunmen had been discharging rounds toward the south from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The Home Depot was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives kept processing evidence well into the night.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia connected to the shooting had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four people were stopped and detained. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to collect the individuals for processing in Sacramento County. Video that was reviewed confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.