A tragic accident in Fresno, California, leaves a young mother dead and her boyfriend facing charges after their toddler accidentally fired an unsecured gun.
At a Glance
- A 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 22-year-old mother, Jessinya Mina, with an unsecured gun
- The gun belonged to Mina’s boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, who now faces charges of negligent firearm storage and child endangerment
- The incident occurred in their Northern California apartment while Mina and Sanchez were in bed
- Police emphasize the tragedy was preventable, highlighting the critical importance of proper firearm storage
- The investigation is ongoing, with authorities considering potential additional charges
Tragic Incident Unfolds in Fresno Apartment
A heart-wrenching tragedy occurred in Fresno, California, when a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his mother, 22-year-old Jessinya Mina. The incident took place in their Northern California apartment while Mina and her boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, were in bed. The toddler gained access to Sanchez’s unsecured 9mm Keltec pistol.
Fresno Police Lieutenant Paul Cervantes described the incident as “very tragic, and a very much preventable and avoidable incident.” He added, “He left that firearm in an area that was accessible to a 2 ½-year-old toddler at that location.”
The Fresno Police Department says the gun used to shoot and kill a woman on Friday was not safely stored and was found by a toddler. The 18-year-old owner of the gun was arrested.https://t.co/F9UPxEt44k
— FOX26 News (@KMPHFOX26) December 9, 2024
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
Following the incident, Andrew Sanchez was arrested and charged with criminal storage of a firearm and child endangerment. Despite having no prior criminal history, Sanchez now faces serious legal repercussions for his alleged negligence. He was taken into custody but later posted bail.
“At this stage in the investigation, it appears to be a tragedy. However, there is still work to be done,” stated Lt. Paul Cervantes. The Fresno Police Department, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is working to trace the firearm’s ownership and conduct a thorough investigation. “As you can imagine, it’s difficult because we’re having to wrestle with the idea that it’s even conceivable that a 2 ½-year-old child would have sufficient strength to manipulate a firearm,” Lt. Cervantes added.
Family’s Grief and Criticism
The tragedy has left Mina’s family devastated. Jessinya Mina was also a mother to an 8-month-old daughter. Her sister, Jessica Rodriguez, launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the family and criticized Sanchez for his actions.
Child Protective Services was notified of the incident, and Mina’s children have been placed with her family. The community mourns the loss of a young mother whose life was cut short by what authorities describe as a preventable tragedy.
A Stark Reminder for Gun Owners
The Fresno Police Department emphasized the critical importance of proper firearm storage in light of this tragedy. Lt. Cervantes stated, “The Fresno Police Department is deeply saddened by this type of tragedy that’s devastating and definitely serves as a stark reminder of the significance and importance of being able to properly store your weapon and do so in a manner that children don’t access it.”
This heartbreaking incident serves as a somber reminder to all gun owners of their responsibility to ensure firearms are securely stored, especially in homes with children. As the investigation continues, it highlights the potential devastating consequences of negligent gun storage and the need for increased awareness and education on responsible firearm ownership.
Sources:
Toddler accidentally shoots mom, 22, dead while playing with unsecured gun; boyfriend arrested
Toddler Shoots Mom Dead While Playing With Firearm
2 Year Old Tragically Kills Mom While Playing With Gun