Law enforcement in Sacramento are investigating a gunfire incident that erupted Saturday night April 18 at the Howe Community Park area as deputies were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Background
Sacramento County law enforcement initially responded to Howe Community Park around half past six in the evening after being notified of persons possibly in possession of concealed weapons. Following that, additional information came in mentioning a potential altercation taking place at the location.
An overhead unit conducted an aerial sweep but found nothing to substantiate the fight report. Nevertheless, it became clear that several hundred individuals had come together at the location without authorization.
The Dispersal and Shooting
Sacramento Arden Arcade shooting April 2026 County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by forming a perimeter and announcing over their public address systems ordering the crowd to leave immediately. Nearly 15 minutes were provided for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that an estimated 20 to 25 shots rang out. The shots triggered a stampede. Responding personnel at once began identifying shooting victims.
Those Who Were Hit
Ultimately, four people were located with gunshot injuries. The victims — a group of one female and three male victims all believed to be in their mid to late twenties — were airlifted or driven to Sacramento area hospitals. Emergency physicians indicated that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. Thankfully, all four were expected to survive.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and assisted with medical triage the four victims on location.
The Investigation
The primary shooting scene was confirmed to have occurred near the Cottage Way corridor near the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators found additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet damage were observed in the iron fence alongside the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence pointed to that a second shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. That Home Depot location was secured under a brief lockdown for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Reports confirmed through law enforcement radio communications confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in nearby Solano County. Four people were taken into custody. Law enforcement units were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene revealed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.