Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a gunfire incident that erupted on April 18 2026 at Howe Park just as Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispersing an unlawful assembly of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies first arrived at the park on Howe Avenue around 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. After that, additional information came in mentioning a potential altercation occurring at the location.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Regardless, it became clear that a crowd of several hundred had gathered without authorization without authorization.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Responding units moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and making announcements instructing the assembled crowd to leave immediately. About 15 minutes were provided for individuals to vacate.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition cut through the air. The shots triggered a stampede. Deputies quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
When the dust settled, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — made up of one woman and three men each apparently in their mid to late twenties — were transported to Sacramento area hospitals. Medical teams stated that two victims were in serious condition, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
Sacramento fire crews provided support and helped triage those who had been shot on location.
Physical Evidence
The primary shooting scene appears to have occurred adjacent to the Cottage Way corridor adjacent to the Home Depot on the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Law enforcement investigators identified more spent casings along Cottage Way. Bullet holes were noted in the metal fencing near the website Home Depot store. The physical evidence suggested that at least one shooter had been shooting in a southerly direction from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot. The nearby Home Depot was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. CSI investigators and detectives remained on scene through the early morning hours.
Suspects Detained
Intelligence received through scanner monitoring indicated that a suspect Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four people were taken into custody. Sheriff's units were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for further questioning. Surveillance footage established that there were two gunmen.