Sacramento County deputies are working a shooting incident that occurred on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento while Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were shutting down a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement were first dispatched to the park shortly before 6:30 PM after learning of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, a follow-up call was made regarding an alleged brawl occurring near the park.
An overhead unit flew over the park but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Despite this, authorities discovered that several hundred individuals had come together at the location without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by encircling the gathering and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the assembled crowd to vacate the area. Approximately 15 minutes were given for the gathering to break up.
At the height of the dispersal effort that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The rapid succession of shots caused mass panic. Deputies at once began identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Altogether, four victims were discovered with shooting injuries. The victims — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their early to late twenties — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff indicated that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. According to authorities, each of the four victims was stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department assisted at the location and provided medical assistance the injured before they were taken to the hospital.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was believed to have happened adjacent to the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot store at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Detectives discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Ballistic damage were also found in the iron fence surrounding the Home Depot store. These findings indicated that a second shooter had been aiming south from along Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and Home Depot Sacramento shooting parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was put under lockdown for a period of time. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Arrests Made
Information obtained through scanner monitoring revealed that a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four detainees were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for further questioning. Video that was reviewed made clear that two shooters had been involved.