No homicide charges filed in deadly Natomas High School shooting, DA says
Prosecutors will not file homicide charges in the deadly shooting at Natomas High School, saying the student who opened fire acted in self-defense during an attempted robbery on campus.
On Monday night, Sacramento police said a person of interest had been detained in the shooting. By Tuesday, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office confirmed a 16-year-old suspect had been arrested.
However, new details released by the Sacramento County District Attorney's Office on Tuesday provide a clearer picture of what led to the shooting.
Prosecutors said the victim, identified on Monday by his mother as De'Jon Sledge, and an accomplice were not students at Natomas High School and came onto campus armed while looking for a specific student.
Authorities said Sledge was carrying a ski mask and a handgun when he and the accomplice located that student.
During what the district attorney's office described as a violent attempted robbery, the targeted student, who officials say was also armed, shot Sledge.
Prosecutors determined the shooting was done in self-defense and said there "was insufficient evidence to file homicide-related charges."
Still, the teen who fired in self-defense will face "various weapons charges," prosecutors said. They added that the other person associated with Sledge will be charged in juvenile court with attempted robbery.
"The loss of a young life is truly tragic, and we extend our deepest condolences to the family," the DA's office said in a statement. "Unfortunately, this incident underscores the troubling level of violence occurring on school campuses. Schools should be safe havens for our children... Our youth should not feel compelled to carry guns to school for protection."
Sledge's mother, through the nonprofit Empact, previously pushed back on social media claims alleging her son was involved in gang activity.
"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," the statement read.
In the aftermath, community advocates are now urging the district to expand programs aimed at preventing youth violence.
"There has been a huge disruption in a place where they have felt safe in the past," said Elika Bernard, president of Black Women United and a community chaplain.
The shooting occurred just four months after the Sacramento Police Department canceled its school resource officer (SRO) contract with Natomas Unified School District due to staffing issues. Officers were pulled off campuses and back onto city patrols.
Instead of using SROs, the district created a new position of school safety officer, including one assigned to serve Natomas High School daily. In this role, the safety officer is tasked with addressing complex student needs and supporting intervention and prevention efforts. The district said these safety officers are trained to work in a school environment but are not armed
Natomas Unified confirmed with CBS News Sacramento on Tuesday evening that a safety officer was on campus at the time of the shooting.
Leia Schenk, the founder of Empact, said she's "not for more police on campus," adding that she believes there's more trust in community leaders.
"Because when the youth trust you, they'll talk to you. Maybe on Friday, one of those youth that knew someone else had a weapon, if they had a trusted adult they could've gone to, they could've told that adult, 'Hey, this person has a weapon, just want you to know.' "
Community leaders and support organizations remained on campus this week offering counseling, guidance, and safe spaces for students and families. Bernard said the role of community organizations is to help de-escalate tensions and provide stability.
"Our job is to hold space and not create more conflict. It's to de-escalate," Bernard said.
Bernard said the tragedy highlights broader concerns about youth gun violence across the city and the need for greater investment in prevention.
"This is not an isolated incident. We see gun violence happening with our youth across the city," Bernard said. "This is another reason why we need to invest in infrastructure for our youth."
She pointed to expanded after-school programs, mentorship opportunities, and structured activities as potential ways to keep young people engaged and out of dangerous situations.
"Especially if you're a young boy in Natomas, there's nowhere to go for an extracurricular," Bernard said.
The school district said it has increased the presence of its safety and Safe Schools team, along with additional support from Sacramento Police. District officials were unable to confirm whether metal detectors are currently in use or whether they could be implemented in the future.
Bernard said enforcement measures, like metal detectors, may create a more punitive environment, adding that education around gun violence prevention and expanded youth programming may be more effective long-term solutions.
"Our children need for us to not act like this didn't happen," Bernard said.