Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are examining a shooting incident that erupted on April 18 2026 at Howe Park while law enforcement were dissolving a large unsanctioned party of multiple hundreds of people.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue at approximately 6:30 Saturday evening after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a second call came in about a reported physical confrontation occurring at the location.
Aerial units searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it became clear that a massive group had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Responding units set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers telling the hundreds present to leave immediately. Around 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition echoed through the night. The shots sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Deputies at once began locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four individuals were found to have been shot. All four — a group of one female and three male victims ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were rushed to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians stated that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department also responded and assisted with medical triage the four victims at the park.
Crime Scene Evidence
The center of the incident appears to have occurred on the Cottage Way corridor next to the local Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings scattered along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were observed in the iron fence surrounding the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence suggested that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from along Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot store. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown during the incident. Crime scene personnel worked tirelessly late into the evening.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence check here received over police scanner frequencies confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in nearby Solano County. Four people were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Solano County to return them to Sacramento for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence revealed that there were two gunmen.