Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are looking into a gun violence incident that took place on April 18 2026 at the Howe Community Park area while deputies were breaking up an unlawful assembly of hundreds of attendees.
How It Started
Deputies were first called to Howe Community Park at approximately 6:30 PM after getting calls of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, a second caller reported concerning a potential altercation unfolding near the park.
A sheriff's airship was sent to survey the area but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, deputies found that a massive group had packed into the park without permission.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers ordering the hundreds present to go home. Roughly 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
Just as the crowd began to move that upwards of 20 gunshots rang out. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies at once began locating gunshot victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians confirmed that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one had injuries classified as minor. In a positive development, no fatalities click here were reported and all four were stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and helped care for the injured at the park.
Evidence at the Scene
The primary shooting scene seemed to have happened near Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Investigators located additional shell casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were observed in the wrought iron fence bordering the Home Depot. The physical evidence confirmed that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way in the direction of the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives stayed at the location throughout the night.
Arrests Made
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a Kia vehicle had been stopped in Solano County. Four occupants were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to bring the suspects back for processing in Sacramento County. Footage analyzed by investigators showed that there were two gunmen.