A tragic incident occurred in Fresno, California, where a 22-year-old mother, Jessinya Mina, was fatally shot by her 2-year-old son. The shooting took place in the couple’s apartment at the Butterfly Grove Apartments, after the child found and handled a loaded firearm that had been negligently stored by Mina’s 18-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez. The gun, a 9mm KelTec handgun, had been left in a location accessible to children within their bedroom. The toddler managed to pull the trigger, causing the fatal shooting of his mother while she was sleeping.
The Fresno Police Department described Sanchez’s actions as “negligent” in the manner in which he stored the firearm. The gun, which had no external safety feature, required only a small amount of pressure on the trigger enough for a child to pull it. Police believe that the 2-year-old child, who was able to manipulate the gun, inadvertently caused his mother’s death.
Mina’s sister, Jessica Rodriguez, spoke out about the devastating loss, condemning Sanchez’s carelessness and lack of regard for her sister’s wishes. Mina had expressed concerns about having a gun in the house, yet Sanchez chose to keep one within reach of the children, leading to the fatal accident. Rodriguez emphasized how this tragedy could have been prevented had Sanchez adhered to proper gun safety protocols, and how her sister’s children would now grow up without their mother.
Sanchez has been arrested on felony charges, including child endangerment and felony criminal storage of a firearm. He was detained by police at the scene of the shooting, where they confiscated the weapon involved. Despite the arrest, the investigation is ongoing, with authorities working alongside the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office to determine if further charges should be filed. At this stage, it is believed that the 2-year-old child was responsible for his mother’s death, though detectives continue to probe the circumstances of the incident.
The community has expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of Mina, a young mother who was full of life and love. Her family has set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses. In the fundraising message, Mina is described as a devoted mother to her young children, including a 7-month-old daughter, and as someone who was dearly loved by those who knew her.
Mina’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the importance of proper firearm storage, especially in homes with children. Law enforcement officials emphasized how easy it is for children to access unsecured firearms, and how the tragedy could have been avoided with better precautions. Fresno Police Lt. Paul Cervantes called the incident “devastating” and stressed the need for responsible gun ownership and the secure storage of firearms to prevent similar tragedies.
Mina’s family, devastated by the loss, has made it clear that her death was entirely preventable. They have condemned Sanchez for his negligence and the irreversible impact his actions have had on their family. Mina’s sister described her as a loving and caring mother who deserved to live a long life and see her children grow. The tragedy has left her family heartbroken, with Rodriguez expressing that they will never be able to see Mina fulfill her dreams or accomplish her goals.
The investigation into this fatal incident continues, and authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward to help with the case. Meanwhile, Mina’s family is left to mourn her untimely death and care for her children, who will now have to grow up without the presence of their mother.
