Sacramento authorities are investigating a shooting that broke out on April 18 2026 at the Howe Community Park area while authorities were clearing a large unauthorized gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first dispatched to Howe Park at approximately 6:30 PM on April 18 after obtaining information of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Following that, a second caller reported concerning a potential altercation breaking out inside the park.
Air support scanned the area from the air but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, it became clear that hundreds of people had come together at the location without official sanction.
When the Shots Rang Out
Law enforcement personnel began the process of clearing the park by encircling the gathering and using their vehicle PA systems telling those gathered to clear out. Nearly 15 minutes were allotted for individuals to vacate.
It was during this dispersal that 20 to 25 gunshots were fired. The rapid succession of shots sent the crowd running in all directions. Deputies immediately began locating gunshot victims.
Four People Shot
Altogether, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The shooting victims — comprising three men and one woman all believed to be in their early to late twenties — were rushed to local Sacramento hospitals. Emergency physicians stated that two victims were in serious condition, one sustained moderate wounds, and one suffered minor injuries. As of last report, all four were expected to survive.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District were called to the scene and provided medical assistance the four victims prior to hospital transport.
Physical Evidence
The bulk of the shooting was determined to have happened on Cottage Way near the local Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene Home Depot Sacramento shooting investigators found further ballistic evidence in the form of shell casings on the Cottage Way roadway. Projectile impacts were identified in the metal fencing bordering the Home Depot store. These discoveries indicated that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from along Cottage Way aimed at the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. CSI units alongside detectives worked tirelessly well into the night.
Suspect Vehicle Located
Information relayed via scanner audio indicated that a suspect Kia had been stopped in an area within Solano County. Four individuals were held for questioning. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to Solano County to pick up those detained for processing in Sacramento County. Video evidence confirmed that two shooters had been involved.