A 38-year-old man believed to be her boyfriend was taken into custody.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — A woman was shot and killed early Wednesday inside an Anaheim home after what police described as a domestic dispute, prompting a large response near the 91 Freeway.
A 38-year-old man believed to have been dating the victim was arrested after officers responded to reports of gunfire at a home on Huntington Avenue near Fulton Street. Police said five other adults were inside the home and hid while calling 911.
The shooting was reported shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday. Initial reports raised concern about an active shooter, and the 91 Freeway was temporarily shut down in both directions at Brookhurst Street around 4 a.m. Anaheim police later said the incident was not an active shooter situation.
Officers said it took about 45 minutes to take the suspect into custody, with what police called a minor use of force. When officers entered the home, they found a firearm in the front yard and the woman dead inside the garage. Her name had not been released.
Neighbors reported hearing a woman scream before dozens of shots rang out. Several bullets hit nearby homes and cars. One neighbor said his family dropped to the floor after bullets entered their home. My Phu, who lives nearby, said bullets struck her bedroom wall.
Anaheim police Sgt. Matt Sutter said investigators were still checking the area for damage. “There could be other people in the neighborhood that their houses or cars were struck by gunfire,” Sutter said.
Villayphanh Soukkhyphiangkeo, a longtime friend of the victim, said she was a woman in her 40s, a mother, a former restaurant owner and a nurse. He said he had met the suspect before and had not noticed warning signs.
Police said they had no prior contact with the suspect in department records. Investigators had not released a motive and said they were continuing to interview witnesses and review evidence from the home and surrounding neighborhood.
The suspect remained in custody Wednesday as police continued the homicide investigation. Officials had not announced formal charges or released the victim’s identity.
Author note: Last updated May 21, 2026.