Sacramento County Sheriff's Office investigators are probing a gun violence incident that erupted on April 18 2026 at Howe Park in Sacramento while law enforcement were dissolving an unlawful assembly of a crowd of several Arden Arcade Sacramento crime 2026 hundred.
Before the Gunfire
Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first called to Howe Park around 6:30 in the evening after learning of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. Soon after, additional information came in describing a reported physical confrontation occurring near the park.
An overhead unit searched from above but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Despite this, deputies found that an enormous crowd had gathered without authorization without official sanction.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Officers moved to clear the area by forming a perimeter and announcing over their public address systems instructing the crowd to vacate the area. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for the crowd to leave.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition rang out. The sudden gunfire triggered a stampede. Deputies wasted no time in searching for victims.
Four Victims Hospitalized
In total, four shooting victims were located with gunshot injuries. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their 20s at the time of the incident — were brought to local Sacramento hospitals. Medical teams indicated that two of the four had injuries classified as immediate, one sustained moderate wounds, and one victim's wounds were minor. According to authorities, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento assisted at the location and aided in treating the injured prior to hospital transport.
Physical Evidence
The bulk of the shooting appears to have unfolded along the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot store situated at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. Crime scene investigators discovered additional shell casings on Cottage Way. Bullet holes were noted in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence confirmed that one of the gunmen had been shooting in a southerly direction from Cottage Way targeting the Home Depot building and parking lot. The store itself was placed on lockdown for a period of time. Forensic investigators and law enforcement detectives continued working late into the evening.
Arrests Made
Reports confirmed over scanner radio traffic showed that a vehicle identified as a Kia was contacted by law enforcement in Solano County California. Four detainees were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to transport the detainees for processing in Sacramento County. Surveillance footage revealed that two shooters had been involved.