Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting incident that broke out on April 18 2026 at the Howe Community Park area as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dissolving an unsanctioned gathering of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Howe Park shooting Sacramento Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about the park just after 6:30 PM after getting calls of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Soon after, a second call came in concerning a reported physical confrontation breaking out within the park grounds.
Aerial units conducted an aerial sweep but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Even so, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Law enforcement personnel set about removing people from the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and making announcements instructing the hundreds present to leave immediately. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for individuals to vacate.
Just as the crowd began to move that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were fired. The shots triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies at once began identifying shooting victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
When the dust settled, four gunshot victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were taken to Sacramento area hospitals. Doctors and nurses stated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. In a positive development, each of the four victims was stable.
Sacramento Metro Fire provided support and provided medical assistance those who had been shot on location.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene was confirmed to have unfolded adjacent to Cottage Way near the Home Depot store on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Investigators recovered additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were discovered in the iron perimeter fence near the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence showed that a second shooter had been sending rounds south from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot. That Home Depot location was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives worked tirelessly well into the night.
Suspect Information
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications showed that a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four occupants were detained. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for questioning. Video reviewed at the scene showed that two individuals had fired weapons.