In a heartbreaking incident in Northern California, a young mother was accidentally shot and killed by her two-year-old son after he found a loaded gun in the couple’s bedroom. The tragedy occurred at their apartment in Fresno, where Jessinya Mina, 22, was struck fatally in the upper body by a bullet fired by her toddler. Mina’s boyfriend, 18-year-old Andrew Sanchez, was arrested in connection with the incident.
The shooting unfolded while Mina and Sanchez were relaxing in bed. According to the Fresno Police Department, the young child discovered a loaded 9mm handgun that had been negligently left in an accessible location. The toddler inadvertently pulled the trigger, and Mina was hit by a single shot. Despite efforts to rush her to the hospital, Mina later died from her injuries.
Detectives confirmed that the handgun had been carelessly stored in a place where the child could easily access it. Authorities charged Sanchez with felony child endangerment and criminal storage of a firearm for his role in the tragedy. The gun was recovered and seized as evidence.
“This is a preventable and avoidable incident,” stated Lt. Paul Cervantes of the Fresno Police Department. He stressed the importance of proper gun storage, particularly in households with children, to avoid such tragic events. “It’s a stark reminder of the significance of securing your weapon to prevent access by children.”
Mina, who was also a mother to an eight-month-old daughter, had expressed concerns about the presence of firearms in their home. Her older sister, Jessica Rodriguez, shared that Mina had repeatedly asked Sanchez to remove the gun from their living space, but her pleas were ignored. Rodriguez mourned the loss of her sister, calling the incident a result of Sanchez’s “carelessness, arrogance, and neglect.”
Mina’s death has left a profound impact on her family. “My niece and nephew will have to live off of memories and stories of my sister rather than her presence. We will never be able to witness my sister carry out her lifelong goals and accomplishments due to his negligence,” Rodriguez said.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, and the Fresno Police Department continues to urge the public to come forward with any information related to the incident.
Sources By Agencies
