Sacramento County deputies are looking into a gunfire incident that erupted on the evening of April 18 at the Howe Community Park area at the time deputies were dispersing a large unsanctioned party of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first dispatched to the Arden-Arcade park at approximately 6:30 in the evening after obtaining information of individuals who may have had concealed firearms. Following that, a second caller reported about a reported physical confrontation unfolding within the park grounds.
A sheriff's airship flew over the park but was unable to locate the reported altercation. However, it Howe Community Park shooting 2026 became clear that a massive group had gathered without authorization without official sanction.
When the Shots Rang Out
Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies started clearing the unauthorized gathering by positioning themselves around the crowd and making announcements ordering the assembled crowd to clear out. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for people to comply.
At the height of the dispersal effort that upwards of 20 gunshots rang out. Gunfire triggered a stampede. Deputies swiftly started finding those who had been shot.
Those Who Were Hit
When the dust settled, four shooting victims were found to have been shot. The victims — consisting of one woman and three men each reported to be in their early to late twenties — were rushed to Sacramento area hospitals. Hospital staff noted that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one suffered minor injuries. According to authorities, all four were in stable condition.
Metro Fire Sacramento arrived on scene and aided in treating the four victims before they were taken to the hospital.
Evidence at the Scene
The primary shooting scene was confirmed to have happened near Cottage Way near the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators located additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were observed in the iron perimeter fence bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence confirmed 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. The store itself was put under lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene technicians and detectives worked tirelessly through the early morning hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received via scanner audio confirmed that a Kia connected to the shooting was pulled over in Solano County California. Four people were taken into custody. Deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for further questioning. Video evidence revealed that there were two gunmen.