Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are examining a shooting that broke out on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento as deputies were clearing an unsanctioned gathering of several hundred people.
How It Started
Sacramento County law enforcement first arrived at the park just after 6:30 PM on April 18 after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Shortly after, a second call came in describing a reported physical confrontation breaking out near the park.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but came back with no confirmation of a fight. However, it was apparent that a massive group had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies set about removing people from the park by encircling the gathering and announcing over their public address systems directing attendees to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were provided for people to comply.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that upwards of 20 gunshots were discharged. The shots triggered a stampede. Deputies quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
In total, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims each apparently in their 20s at the time of the incident — were taken to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical personnel confirmed that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Thankfully, each of the four victims was stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and helped triage those who had been shot at the park.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire seemed to have occurred near the Cottage Way corridor close to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel recovered extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Round impacts were also found in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence showed that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. CSI units alongside detectives kept processing evidence well into the night.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications showed that a Kia vehicle was pulled over in an area within Solano County. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento law enforcement were en route to more info collect those detained to transport the detainees for further questioning. Video reviewed at the scene confirmed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.