Sacramento authorities are examining a shooting that erupted on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time deputies were dissolving a large unauthorized gathering of multiple hundreds of people.
How It Started
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office initially got calls about Howe Park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Soon after, another report was received about a reported physical confrontation breaking out at the location.
A sheriff's airship was sent to survey the area but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, it became clear that several hundred individuals had assembled at the park without permission.
When the Shots Rang Out
Responding units set about removing people from the park by forming a perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the crowd to clear out. Roughly 15 minutes were spent for the crowd to leave.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 gunshots cut through the air. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Deputies quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
The Shooting Victims
By the time the scene unauthorized gathering shooting Sacramento was secured, four shooting victims were discovered with shooting injuries. All four — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to nearby hospitals. Emergency physicians reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one had moderate injuries, and one suffered minor injuries. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento fire crews arrived on scene and aided in treating those who had been shot at the park.
Evidence at the Scene
The primary shooting scene seemed to have happened along the Cottage Way corridor close to the Home Depot store on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Law enforcement investigators located extra shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were identified in the metal fencing near the Home Depot. These findings showed that at least one of the shooters had been discharging rounds toward the south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot store. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene technicians and detectives worked tirelessly for hours.
Suspect Information
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies established that a Kia was intercepted in Solano County. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento law enforcement were heading to pick up the four detainees to transport the detainees for further questioning. Surveillance footage made clear that there were two gunmen.