Teen Killed in Shooting at Natomas High School

Victim identified as 16-year-old De'Jon Sledge, with police investigating and no arrests made

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:07pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single shell casing or other small piece of physical evidence from the crime scene, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty investigation into the tragic shooting.A somber reminder of the tragic loss of a young life, this close-up of physical evidence from the Natomas High School shooting scene exposes the harsh realities of gun violence in schools.Today in Sacramento

A shooting at Natomas High School in Sacramento on Friday left one teen dead, with police investigating the incident and no arrests made so far. The victim has been identified as 16-year-old De'Jon Sledge, a student at a nearby school, and authorities believe the shooter is a current Natomas High School student.

Why it matters

The shooting has raised concerns about school safety and security, with parents expressing worries about their children's wellbeing and the school district taking steps to increase the presence of safety personnel on campus.

The details

According to police, the shooting occurred after school hours, but the circumstances leading up to the incident and why both individuals were on campus remain unclear. Sledge's mother described him as a caring and passionate teenager who made mistakes like any other, but said his life did not deserve to be taken.

  • The shooting occurred on Friday, April 13, 2026.
  • The victim, De'Jon Sledge, was a 16-year-old student.

The players

De'Jon Sledge

A 16-year-old student who was killed in the shooting at Natomas High School.

Janette Diaz

A parent at Natomas High School who knew the victim and expressed concerns about her daughter's safety and emotional well-being.

Natomas Unified School District

The school district that has increased the presence of its safety and safe schools team, with additional support from Sacramento police, in response to the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“My son was caring. He was passionate. He was determined to walk the right path. Did he make mistakes? Of course, just like any other teenager in this world. But anyone who truly knew my son knew what kind of person he really was. My son's life did not deserve to be taken from us.”

— Sledge's mother

“My daughter needs her education, but this is hindering her. You know, she's been crying all weekend to the point where her eyes are so swollen and red right now that it's not even funny. When I found out it was somebody that I knew, he was a great kid. He was a great kid. He helped anybody. He did whatever he could for his family, and to see that happen to somebody so young, it's for me like, what is the school going to do next to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again?”

— Janette Diaz, Parent at Natomas High School

What’s next

The Natomas Unified School District has increased the presence of its safety and safe schools team, with additional support from Sacramento police. Officers will be stationed on campus during school hours, as well as during drop-off and pick-up times.

The takeaway

This tragic shooting has raised urgent questions about school safety and the need for comprehensive measures to protect students, with parents and the community calling for immediate action to prevent such incidents from happening again.