Officials in Sacramento County are investigating a gunfire incident that broke out on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park in the Arden-Arcade area while deputies were shutting down a large unauthorized gathering of a crowd of several hundred.
Prior to the Shooting
Sacramento County law enforcement were first called to Howe Community Park shortly before 6:30 Saturday evening after receiving reports of subjects reportedly carrying hidden weapons. Shortly after, additional information came in concerning a possible fight happening inside the park.
Air support conducted an aerial sweep but was unable to locate the reported altercation. Even so, deputies found that a massive group had packed into the park without any permit or approval.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Officers worked to disperse the crowd by setting up around the park's perimeter and making announcements ordering the assembled crowd to vacate the area. Roughly 15 minutes were allotted for attendees to disperse.
As the crowd was being cleared that 20 to 25 rounds of ammunition were discharged. The shots sent hundreds fleeing. Officers quickly moved to finding those who had been shot.
Four Victims Hospitalized
Ultimately, four victims were identified as having gunshot wounds. The four individuals — made up of one woman and three men all reportedly in their 20s — were transported to area medical facilities. Hospital staff reported that two were treated for serious injuries, one victim's injuries were classified as moderate, and one person's injuries were considered minor. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported and all four were stable.
The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District provided support and helped care for those who had been shot on location.
Physical Evidence
Most of the gunfire seemed to have been concentrated on the Cottage Way side of the park near the Home Depot located at the 2200 block of Howe Avenue. CSI personnel check here found additional shell casings along Cottage Way. Bullet damage were also found in the iron perimeter fence bordering the Home Depot store. This ballistic evidence pointed to that a shooter had been aiming south from Cottage Way toward the Home Depot. The store itself was put under lockdown during the incident. Crime scene technicians and detectives stayed at the location well into the night.
Detainees in Solano County
Information relayed via scanner audio established that a Kia vehicle was intercepted in the Solano County area. Four individuals were in the vehicle at the time of the stop. Deputies were dispatched to Solano County to bring the suspects back for further questioning. Surveillance footage confirmed that the shooting involved two separate gunmen.