Jessinya Mina, a 22-year-old woman in Fresno, died accidentally after her two-year-old son found and shot a loaded gun. The gun was left by Mina's 18-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, completely accessible to the toddler. While Mina was transported to a medical center, she later succumbed to her injuries. Sanchez was booked for child endangerment and criminal storage of a firearm.
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The accident occurred at the 52000 block of North Fresno Street, and police officers arrived at 5:38 p.m. They found Mina with a single gunshot wound to her upper body, according to Fresno Police Department. First responders rushed Jessinya Mina to the Community Regional Medical Center, but she was pronounced dead.
An investigation revealed that the firearm, a 9mm handgun, was negligently left by Sanchez. "The firearm was stored in a location where the toddler accessed the firearm, and at some point, in time, while handling that particular weapon, the toddler was able to manipulate the trigger, and it actually struck Mina as she was lying in bed," said Lt. Paul Cervantes, according to ABC30.
ABC30 legal analysis Tony Capozzi stated that Sanchez could face felony charges instead of a misdemeanor. This could potentially land him in jail for up to 6 years. Fresno police booked Sanchez for felony child endangerment and felony criminal storage of a firearm, so it is a possibility.
A Tragic Loss
The accident and its reckless nature took a toll on Mina's family and Fresno police officers. "My sister was a young mother of two beautiful children who should've been given the opportunity to spend a long, happy life with them," Mina's sister shared in a statement. She described Mina as a loving, caring, and selfless mother "who was always there for everyone."
Mina's sister would also condemn Sanchez's actions. "Now because of her boyfriend's carelessness, his arrogance, his irresponsibility, and neglecting my sister's wishes of never having a gun in her house, she's gone forever," she said.
Lt. Paul Cervantes "wrested with the idea" of a two-year-old being able to manipulate and fire a gun in the way that happened. He also recommended storing guns appropriately, without putting ammunition into them. "Do so in a manner that children do not access it, and for children that are watching this or that hear that, If you see a firearm, leave it alone, don't touch it, tell an adult," he added.
Mina's sister set up a GoFundMe campaign to help cover Jessinya Mina's funeral expenses.
