Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are looking into a shooting incident that erupted on April 18 2026 at the Howe Community Park area at the time law enforcement were breaking up an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Before the Gunfire
Deputies were first dispatched to Howe Park just after 6:30 PM after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Soon after, additional information came in regarding a possible fight unfolding inside the park.
A law enforcement helicopter was sent to survey the area but could not confirm any ongoing fight. However, authorities discovered that a Sacramento County Sheriff shooting investigation massive group had gathered without authorization without any permit or approval.
The Shooting Itself
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies worked to disperse the crowd by forming a perimeter and using their vehicle PA systems telling the crowd to disperse at once. About 15 minutes were provided for the gathering to break up.
While deputies worked to disperse the gathering that upwards of 20 gunshots echoed through the night. Gunfire triggered a stampede. Officers swiftly started searching for victims.
Four People Shot
When the dust settled, four victims were found to have been shot. The shooting victims — consisting of one woman and three men each apparently in their 20s — were airlifted or driven to area medical facilities. Emergency physicians indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one victim's wounds were minor. In a positive development, all four were in stable condition.
Sacramento fire crews were called to the scene and helped care for those who had been shot at the scene.
What Investigators Found
Most of the gunfire was confirmed to have occurred adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the local Home Depot situated at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators identified more spent casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Ballistic damage were discovered in the wrought iron fence near the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence suggested that at least one shooter had been firing southward from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The store itself was put under lockdown while law enforcement worked the area. Crime scene personnel stayed at the location for hours.
Suspects Detained
Information relayed through scanner monitoring indicated that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County. Four occupants were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to bring the suspects back for investigation. Video reviewed at the scene showed that there were two gunmen.