Sacramento County deputies are click here examining a gunfire incident that took place on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area at the time law enforcement were breaking up an unlawful assembly of several hundred people.

What Led to the Shooting

Officers from the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office were first called to the park on Howe Avenue just after half past six in the evening after obtaining information of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Not long after, a follow-up call was made concerning a possible fight taking place at Howe Park.

An overhead unit flew over the park but reported no active disturbance. Regardless, it was evident that an enormous crowd had packed into the park without official sanction.

The Shooting Itself

Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by forming a perimeter and issuing commands over loudspeakers telling attendees to vacate the area. Nearly 15 minutes were given for individuals to vacate.

It was during this dispersal that between 20 and 25 rounds rang out. The rapid succession of shots triggered a stampede. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies immediately began identifying shooting victims.

Four People Shot

In total, four individuals were identified as having gunshot wounds. Those injured — comprising three men and one woman all reportedly in their mid to late twenties — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff reported that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one person's injuries were considered minor. As of last report, each of the four victims was stable.

Sacramento fire crews were called to the scene and aided in treating the injured on location.

The Investigation

The center of the incident seemed to have occurred near Cottage Way alongside the Home Depot at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Detectives discovered further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Bullet holes were observed in the metal fencing near the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence indicated that a shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area in the direction of the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown as a precaution. Crime scene technicians and detectives worked tirelessly late into the evening.

Arrests Made

Information obtained through scanner monitoring confirmed that a Kia had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four occupants were taken into custody. Deputies were traveling to Solano County to collect the individuals for formal questioning. Video evidence showed that there were two gunmen.