Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are working a gun violence incident that broke out on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the time officers were breaking up an unsanctioned gathering of several hundred people.
How It Started
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at the park at approximately 6:30 PM after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, additional information came in concerning a possible fight occurring at the location.
Air support flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Despite this, authorities discovered that hundreds of people had come together at the location without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Officers moved to clear the area by positioning themselves around the crowd and making announcements instructing attendees to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for individuals to vacate.
Just as the crowd began to move that upwards of 20 gunshots cut through the air. Gunfire triggered a stampede. Law enforcement at once more info began looking for those injured.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. The four individuals — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their 20s — were transported to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical personnel noted that two victims sustained immediate injuries, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, each of the four victims was stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department arrived on scene and aided in treating the injured before they were taken to the hospital.
What Investigators Found
The center of the incident was confirmed to have taken place on the Cottage Way side of the park close to the Home Depot on the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Law enforcement investigators identified additional shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Bullet damage were identified in the metal fencing adjacent to the Home Depot. The physical evidence pointed to that one of the gunmen had been sending rounds south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was locked down for a period of time. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence through the early morning hours.
Detainees in Solano County
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four detainees were detained. Sacramento law enforcement were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for questioning. Video that was reviewed revealed that two individuals had fired weapons.