A man was hospitalized after reporting he had been stabbed during the dispute.
SANTA ANA, Calif. — A police response to a family disturbance at a Santa Ana apartment complex ended late Sunday when officers fatally shot a 16-year-old boy who authorities said was armed with a knife.
The encounter began with a 911 call from a 53-year-old man on the 3400 block of South Main Street. Police said the man reported that his girlfriend’s son had stabbed him, was damaging property and was under the influence before officers reached the home.
Santa Ana police said officers arrived about 10:30 p.m. and contacted the teenager, who still had the knife. Officer Natalie Garcia said the teen did not drop it before officers opened fire. “When our officers arrived, they saw that the suspect was still armed with that knife,” Garcia said.
The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials had not released his name by Monday. The man who called police was taken to a hospital in stable condition. The teen’s mother was treated at the apartment complex. Police said both were expected to be OK.
Authorities have not released several key details, including what led to the original dispute, whether the teen spoke with officers, how many shots were fired or how many officers were involved. No officers were injured, police said.
The shooting is being reviewed by the Santa Ana Police Department’s Homicide Unit, the department’s Internal Affairs Division and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. Investigators also kept nearby roads closed while they examined the scene.
The case remained under investigation Monday. Police said additional information would be released when available.
Author note: Last updated June 15, 2026.