Mother of Slain Natomas Teen Pushes Back on Rumors

Family seeks to honor De'Jon Sledge's memory as community mourns school shooting tragedy.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:58am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window or bullet casing, capturing the stark, gritty aftermath of a school shooting incident without depicting any violence or victims.A somber reminder of the tragic toll of gun violence in schools, as a community grapples with the aftermath of a campus shooting.Today in Sacramento

The mother of De'Jon Sledge, a 16-year-old student killed in a recent school shooting in Natomas, California, has spoken out against false narratives being spread about her son online and in the media. She described him as an honor student focused on his academics who was not affiliated with any gangs, contrary to some reports. The family is grieving privately and asking for space to mourn their loss as the investigation into the shooting continues.

Why it matters

This case highlights the pain and complexity surrounding gun violence in schools, as well as the need to respect the privacy and dignity of victims' families during traumatic times. It also underscores the power of social media and the media to shape public perceptions, even when those perceptions may not align with the full truth.

The details

De'Jon Sledge, a former student at Natomas High School, was killed in a campus shooting on April 10, 2026. As the school resumed classes on Monday, Sledge's family released a statement through a local community organization, Empact, addressing false claims being made about their son online and in the media. They described him as an honor student focused on improving his grades, not a gang member as some had suggested. The family said they have not been directly contacted by law enforcement about Sledge's death and learned of it through a community member.

  • The shooting occurred on April 10, 2026.
  • Students returned to Natomas High School on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

De'Jon Sledge

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

Sledge's Mother

The mother of De'Jon Sledge, who released a statement addressing false claims about her son.

Leia Schenk

The founder and CEO of Empact, the community organization that shared Sledge's family's statement.

Robyn Castillo

The superintendent of Natomas Unified School District, who discussed the coordinated response and support efforts for students and staff.

Jennifer Souza

A parent of a 10th grader at Natomas High School who described the mix of fear and sadness felt by the community.

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What they’re saying

“There is always more to a story. We are asking that people please refrain from spreading false narratives about our child.”

— Sledge's Mother

“They're not doing OK. They're really in a state of shock. It's only been a couple of days, so there's still so much they don't know.”

— Leia Schenk, Founder and CEO of Empact

“A lot of fear and a lot of sadness. I'm sad both for the person that did the shooting and the person that got shot.”

— Jennifer Souza, Parent of a 10th grader

What’s next

Sacramento police continue searching for the suspect, and the Natomas Unified School District said support teams will remain available on campus throughout the week to provide care and resources for students and staff.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for greater understanding, empathy, and support for families impacted by gun violence in schools. It also underscores the importance of responsible reporting and the avoidance of harmful rumors, in order to respect the dignity and privacy of victims and their loved ones during their time of grief.