Sacramento County deputies are investigating a shooting incident that broke out on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento just as law enforcement were dispersing an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
What Led to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were first called to Howe Park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after being notified of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, additional information came in regarding a reported physical confrontation happening within the park grounds.
Air support searched from above but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Nevertheless, deputies found that hundreds of people had assembled at the park without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies moved to clear Sacramento park shooting 2026 the area by encircling the gathering and making announcements ordering the hundreds present to leave immediately. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for attendees to disperse.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition echoed through the night. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel wasted no time in searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman ranging in age through their in their twenties — were airlifted or driven to local Sacramento hospitals. Hospital staff confirmed that two were treated for serious injuries, one sustained moderate wounds, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento were called to the scene and helped triage those with gunshot wounds prior to hospital transport.
What Investigators Found
The primary shooting scene was confirmed to have happened along the Cottage Way corridor near the local Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators identified additional spent rounds on Cottage Way. Round impacts were identified in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot. This evidence pointed to that a second shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area targeting the Home Depot. The Home Depot was temporarily locked down for a period of time. Crime scene technicians and detectives continued working for hours.
Suspect Information
Information relayed through law enforcement radio communications showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was pulled over in Solano County. Four detainees were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were traveling to Solano County to transport the detainees for formal questioning. Video evidence confirmed that two separate shooters participated in the incident.