A 22-year-old California woman was fatally shot by her 2-year-old child, prompting the arrest of her boyfriend, authorities said, in a chilling reminder of the dangers of improper gun storage. The incident unfolded last Friday at an apartment on North Fresno Street in Fresno, where police found Jessinya Mina shot in the upper body while lying in bed.
Describing the incident as a “preventable tragedy,” Fresno Police Lieutenant Paul Cervantes revealed that Mina's boyfriend, 18-year-old Andrew Sanchez, failed to properly secure a 9 mm handgun.
"The firearm was stored in a location where the toddler accessed it, and at some point in time, while handling the weapon, the toddler was able to manipulate the trigger,” Cervantes said during a press conference to US reporters on Tuesday.
Mina, who also had an 8-month-old infant, died of her injuries despite Sanchez’s attempt to drive her to the hospital. Sanchez, who has no prior criminal record, was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment and criminal storage of a firearm. He has since been released on bail.
While Sanchez’s attorney remains unconfirmed, the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are working closely with Fresno County prosecutors to determine if further charges will be filed.
Lieutenant Cervantes emphasised the broader implications of the incident, urging gun owners to ensure firearms are securely stored to prevent such tragedies. "The Fresno Police Department is deeply saddened by this type of tragedy that’s devastating," he said. "It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of properly storing your weapon in a manner that children cannot access."
In 2022, another two-year-old accidentally shot their mother and younger sibling in the parking lot of a Walmart outlet in Texas, injuring them both.
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