Sacramento County deputies are examining a shooting incident that unfolded on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area as authorities were shutting down an unauthorized event of multiple hundreds of people.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement initially got calls about Howe Community Park at about 6:30 Saturday evening after learning of people potentially armed with concealed firearms. Shortly after, another report was received regarding a possible physical fight breaking out within the park grounds.
A sheriff's airship scanned the area from the air but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, it was apparent that an enormous crowd had assembled at the park without permission.
The Moment Gunfire Erupted
Deputies began the process of clearing the park by setting up around the park's perimeter and broadcasting over loudspeakers instructing the assembled crowd to disperse at once. Approximately 15 minutes were allowed for attendees to disperse.
At the height of the dispersal effort that 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Responding personnel wasted no time in searching for victims.
Four Gunshot Victims
Ultimately, four people were discovered with shooting injuries. The shooting victims — consisting of one woman and three men all reportedly in their 20s at the time of the incident — were rushed to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Hospital staff confirmed that two had critical injury classifications, one had moderate injuries, and one had injuries classified as minor. Fortunately, all four victims survived and were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District also responded and helped triage those who click here had been shot before they were taken to the hospital.
Crime Scene Evidence
The bulk of the shooting appears to have occurred along Cottage Way adjacent to the Home Depot store on the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel recovered more spent casings scattered along Cottage Way. Projectile impacts were identified in the wrought iron fence bordering the Home Depot. This ballistic evidence indicated that at least one shooter had been firing southward from the Cottage Way area aimed at the Home Depot store. The store itself was placed on lockdown while the scene was active. Crime scene personnel kept processing evidence for hours.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information obtained over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia connected to the shooting was intercepted in Solano County. Four individuals were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were sent to retrieve the detainees to pick up those detained for investigation. Video evidence made clear that two separate shooters participated in the incident.