Innocence Turns Tragic: Toddler’s Accidental Shot Kills 22-Year-Old Mother, Boyfriend Arrested. A child shot his 22-year-old mother dead inside the family’s apartment in Northern California in what authorities described as an avoidable tragedy. The woman’s boyfriend is being charged with her murder.
According to the Fresno Police Department, her 2-year-old son took up an unsecured gun inside the house’s bedroom on Friday and squeezed the trigger, killing 22-year-old Jessinya Mina from a single gunshot wound to her upper torso. He hit the round on his mother.
Police Lt. Paul Cervantes stated at a press conference on Tuesday that the incident occurred at Butterfly Grove Apartments at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
On the day of the shooting, officers detained 18-year-old Andrew Sanchez, the victim’s boyfriend, in the apartment, according to a news release. He was arrested for felony child endangerment and criminal careless firearm storage at the Fresno County Jail.
Sanchez was removed from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office’s online inmate list on Wednesday.
It wasn’t immediately clear if he had hired a lawyer.
Investigators: Victim, boyfriend on bed relaxing when toddler shot mom
According to homicide police’s initial investigation, Mina was residing with her boyfriend, Sanchez, and the victim’s two children, a 2-year-old boy and an 8-month-old baby. The incident occurred when the family was relaxing on the bed, preparing to head out for the evening. Cervantes, the boyfriend, stated that the gunshot happened accidentally during this calm moment.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a tragic reminder of the critical importance of gun safety, especially when young children are present. Families should always take the necessary precautions to ensure firearms are stored safely, out of reach of children, and that all members of the household are educated about the dangers of guns.
Essential Gun Safety Tips:
- Always Store Firearms Securely: Guns should be locked in a safe, with ammunition stored separately to prevent unauthorized access.
- Use Childproof Locks: Consider using childproof safes or trigger locks to further safeguard against accidental shootings.
- Educate Family Members: Ensure everyone, especially children, understands the dangers of firearms and never treat them as toys.
- Unload Firearms When Not in Use: Always unload guns when they are not in use, especially when keeping them in your home.
- Keep Guns Away from Common Areas: Do not leave firearms lying around in common living spaces, especially in reach of young children.
These simple yet essential steps can help prevent such tragedies and ensure the safety of everyone in the household.
