Officials in Sacramento County are working a gunfire incident that unfolded on April 18 2026 at Howe Community Park at the time deputies were dissolving an unlawful assembly of several hundred people.
Before the Gunfire
Law enforcement were first dispatched to the Arden-Arcade park at approximately 6:30 PM after obtaining information of individuals possibly carrying concealed weapons. After that, additional information came in concerning an alleged brawl happening inside the park.
Aerial units scanned the area from the air but could not confirm any ongoing fight. Regardless, deputies found that hundreds of people had congregated at Howe Park without permission.
How the Shooting Unfolded
Responding units started clearing the unauthorized gathering by surrounding the park and broadcasting over loudspeakers directing the crowd to disperse at once. Around 15 minutes were allowed for the gathering to break up.
It was during this dispersal that upwards of 20 gunshots rang out. Gunfire sent the crowd running in all directions. Responding personnel swiftly started looking for those injured.
Those Who Were Hit
By the time the scene was secured, four victims were found to have been shot. Those injured — a group of one female and three male victims all reportedly in their early to late twenties — were transported to hospitals in the Sacramento area. Medical personnel noted that two were treated for serious injuries, one person had injuries of a moderate nature, and one sustained minor gunshot wounds. According to authorities, all four victims survived and were stable.
Metro Fire Sacramento assisted at the location and aided in treating those who had been shot at the scene.
Evidence at the Scene
The center of the incident was confirmed to have happened near the Cottage Way side of the park next to the Home Depot located at the 2200 Howe Avenue block. Crime scene investigators identified extra shell casings throughout the Cottage Way area. Round impacts were also found in the wrought iron perimeter fencing bordering the Home Depot. These findings showed that one of the gunmen had been firing southward from along Cottage Way toward the Home Depot building and parking lot. The nearby Home Depot was secured under a brief lockdown while the scene was active. Crime Arden Arcade Sacramento crime 2026 scene technicians and detectives continued working throughout the night.
Arrests Made
Information obtained over scanner radio traffic established that a Kia connected to the shooting had been detained in an area within Solano County. Four people were stopped and detained. Sacramento County Sheriff's deputies were en route to collect those detained to return them to Sacramento for further questioning. Surveillance footage established that two shooters had been involved.