2-Year-Old Boy in US Accidentally Shoots and Kills Mother With Unsecured Gun: Police

A tragic incident unfolded in Northern California on Friday when a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 22-year-old mother, Jessinya Mina, inside their apartment. The child, who was playing in a bedroom, picked up an unsecured loaded gun and pulled the trigger. The weapon, a 9mm handgun, belonged to Andrew Sanchez, Mina's boyfriend.

According to police, the shooting occurred while Mina was lying in bed. The toddler managed to manipulate the trigger of the gun, and the shot struck Mina in the upper body. She was rushed to a local hospital but unfortunately succumbed to her injuries.

Lt. Paul Cervantes of the local police force described the incident as "devastating" and a stark reminder of the importance of properly storing firearms. “It's a very tragic and very much preventable and avoidable incident,” Cervantes added in a news conference.

The boy’s 8-month-old sibling was also present at the scene, though not injured. Mina’s boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, was arrested and faces criminal charges, including felony child endangerment and felony criminal storage of a weapon. The loaded gun had no external safety feature and was left in an area where children could easily access it.

Sanchez, who has no prior criminal history, has been released on bail, and detectives are investigating the ownership and registration details of the firearm.

Mina’s sister, Jessica Rodriguez, created an online fundraiser to support her family. In a heartfelt message, she described her late sister as "full of love and life and an amazing beautiful mother," adding, “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.”

This incident comes on the heels of several similar accidents involving children and unsecured firearms in the United States. Just days before, a 7-year-old boy accidentally shot and killed his 2-year-old brother inside a truck in California. In another incident, a 3-year-old accidentally injured a 1-year-old sibling with a firearm found at home.

The tragedy underscores the ongoing issue of gun safety and the dire consequences of not securing firearms in households with children.