FLORIN, CA — The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office has identified 16-year-old Ajanaye Antontte Wiltz as the victim of a fatal shooting that occurred Sunday afternoon at a home on Chriswoods Court. The incident, which happened around 3:30 p.m. on the 8000 block, has left this quiet suburban neighborhood reeling as investigators work to determine the circumstances behind the teenager’s death.
According to authorities, deputies responded to reports of gunfire at 3:45 p.m. and found Wiltz suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention from Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District personnel, the teen was pronounced dead at the scene. The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office officially ruled the death a homicide, though investigators have not yet disclosed whether Wiltz was the intended target or if multiple shooters were involved.
Sgt. Amar Gandhi of the Sheriff’s Office confirmed that detectives are pursuing several leads in the case but have not made any arrests as of Tuesday. Crime scene technicians spent hours processing the residence and surrounding area for ballistic evidence, while neighbors reported seeing multiple people flee the scene immediately after the gunshots rang out. The lack of immediate suspect information has heightened community concerns about ongoing violence in the area.
Wiltz, remembered by friends as an outgoing sophomore at Florin High School with a passion for dance and community service, had recently earned honors in her biology class. Her sudden death has sparked an outpouring of grief, with hundreds attending a Monday night vigil where classmates released balloons in her favorite color – purple. The school district has deployed additional counselors to help students process the tragedy.
This marks the third teen homicide in Sacramento County this year, renewing calls for increased youth violence prevention programs. Community leaders are organizing a town hall meeting to address safety concerns, while Wiltz’s family prepares to lay their daughter to rest later this week. A GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses has already surpassed its $15,000 goal.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Sheriff’s Office tip line at (916) 874-TIPS. As the investigation progresses, detectives are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the Chriswoods Court area between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
