Officials in Sacramento County are examining a gun violence incident that erupted on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento at the moment authorities were clearing a large unsanctioned party of an estimated several hundred individuals.
Prior to the Shooting
Deputies were first dispatched to the Arden-Arcade park around 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, additional information came in regarding an alleged brawl taking place within the park grounds.
A law enforcement helicopter conducted an aerial sweep but came back with no confirmation of a fight. Nevertheless, it became clear that a massive group had assembled at the park without any permit or approval.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Deputies set about removing people from the park by positioning themselves around the crowd and issuing commands over loudspeakers instructing attendees to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allotted for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The sudden gunfire caused mass panic. Responding personnel wasted no time in finding those who had been shot.
Four Gunshot Victims
By the time the scene was secured, four gunshot victims were located with gunshot injuries. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman each apparently in their twenties — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Doctors and nurses indicated that two had critical injury classifications, one of the four had moderate gunshot wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and aided in treating the injured at the scene.
What Investigators Found
The main crime scene appears to have taken place along the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot store located at the 2200 block of Howe Ave. Detectives located further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings along Cottage Way. Ballistic damage were also found in the iron fence adjacent to the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence indicated that one of the gunmen had been aiming south from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot. The Home Depot was locked down as a precaution. Crime scene check here personnel continued working through the early morning hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Intelligence received over police scanner frequencies revealed that a Kia connected to the shooting was contacted by law enforcement in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Law enforcement units were dispatched to Solano County to pick up those detained for investigation. Video evidence established that there were two gunmen.