Officials in Sacramento County are working a shooting incident that broke out on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park at the time officers were breaking up an unauthorized event of several hundred people.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to the park on Howe Avenue just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. After that, a second caller reported concerning a potential altercation breaking out at Howe Park.
An overhead unit was sent to survey the area but reported no active disturbance. Even so, it was evident that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the crowd to go home. Approximately 15 minutes were provided for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds cut through the air. The shots caused mass panic. Law enforcement immediately began looking for those injured.
The Shooting Victims
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. All four — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in here their mid to late twenties — were brought to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. Fortunately, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire arrived on scene and provided medical assistance the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Crime Scene Evidence
Most of the gunfire was determined to have been concentrated along the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Detectives found more spent casings on Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were noted in the iron perimeter fence alongside the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence confirmed that at least one shooter had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area toward the Home Depot. The store itself was locked down while the scene was active. Crime scene technicians and detectives kept processing evidence well into the night.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed via scanner audio revealed that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in nearby Solano County. Four detainees were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were en route to collect those detained to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video that was reviewed confirmed that there were two gunmen.