Law enforcement in Sacramento are examining a gun violence incident that took place on April 18 2026 at Howe Park at the moment Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispersing a large unsanctioned party of hundreds of attendees.
What Led to the Shooting
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially responded to Howe Park shortly before half past six in the evening after getting calls of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, a second caller reported concerning a reported physical confrontation taking place near the park.
Air support was sent to survey the area but reported no active disturbance. Nevertheless, it was evident that several hundred individuals had packed into the park in an unauthorized manner.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Responding units set more info about removing people from the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling the hundreds present to vacate the area. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for the gathering to break up.
At the height of the dispersal effort that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The barrage of gunfire sparked chaos as hundreds ran. Law enforcement immediately began identifying shooting victims.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four individuals were discovered with shooting injuries. The four individuals — including a female and three males ranging in age through their in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to area medical facilities. Hospital staff indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one had moderate injuries, and one victim's wounds were minor. As of last report, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento provided support and aided in treating the injured before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene appears to have occurred adjacent to Cottage Way near the Home Depot store located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. CSI personnel identified extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Ballistic damage were also found in the metal fencing bordering the nearby Home Depot. This ballistic evidence indicated that a shooter had been discharging rounds toward the south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location throughout the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Details gathered over scanner radio traffic confirmed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been stopped in the Solano County area. Four suspects were detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to return them to Sacramento for questioning. Footage analyzed by investigators revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.