Officials in Sacramento County are examining a shooting that occurred on April 18 2026 at the Howe Community Park area while deputies were dispersing an unauthorized event of multiple hundreds of people.
What Led to the Shooting
Law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Community Park at about 6:30 in the evening after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, additional information came in regarding an alleged brawl breaking out inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Nevertheless, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by encircling the gathering and making announcements ordering the hundreds present to clear out. Around 15 minutes were given for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots cut through the air. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Law enforcement quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
In total, four people were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Emergency physicians confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento arrived on scene and assisted with medical triage those with gunshot wounds on location.
Evidence at the Scene
The center of the incident was confirmed to have taken place near Cottage Way alongside the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives found extra shell casings on the Cottage unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento Way roadway. Round impacts were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing near the Home Depot store. The physical evidence confirmed that a shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot. The Home Depot was placed on lockdown as a precaution. CSI units alongside detectives continued working late into the evening.
Arrests Made
Details gathered via scanner audio revealed that a Kia was pulled over in Solano County California. Four occupants were taken into custody. Deputies were heading to pick up the four detainees to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Video that was reviewed revealed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.