Jessinya Mina, a 22-year-old California mother, tragically died after her two-and-a-half-year-old young son accidentally shot her with an unlocked gun. Fresno police reported Monday December 9. The incident occurred on Friday, December 6, in the apartment Mina shared with her 8-month-old baby, her toddler, and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez.
According fresno police Lieutenant Paul Cervantes, the boy accessed a loaded 9mm pistol that had been stored improperly. “The loaded 9mm handgun was stored in a location where the child had access to the firearm, and at some point while handling that particular weapon, the child was able to manipulate the trigger and actually struck Mina while she was lying down.” in bed”, Cervantes. he said during a press conference.
After the shooting, Sánchez and other roommates tried to save Mina’s life. “They were in the process of transporting her to the hospital when they called 911,” Cervantes explained. First responders ordered them to remain at the scene until police and medical personnel arrived.
Mina, who suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper body, was treated at the scene before being transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Sánchez admitted to investigators that he had placed the firearm in a location accessible to the child. He was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail on charges of felony child endangerment and felony criminal storage of a firearm. Sánchez, who has no criminal record, has since posted bail.
“We continue to work on this investigation, collaborating with the district attorney’s office to see (that) appropriate charges are filed,” Cervantes said, adding that forensic analysis and Mina’s autopsy remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Cervantes highlighted the heartbreaking lesson of this tragedy. “The Fresno Police Department is deeply saddened by this type of tragedy… It definitely serves as a stark reminder of the importance of properly storing your gun and ensuring children do not access it.”
In a statement to ABC 30, Mina’s sister, Jessica Rodriguez, described Mina as “a beautiful soul who touched the lives of everyone she met.” Rodriguez shared that Mina was pursuing her dream of returning to cosmetology school.
“My niece and nephew will have to live off my sister’s memories and stories instead of her presence,” Rodriguez said. Since then he has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses and support Mina’s two young children.
This devastating incident underscores the importance of gun safety and storage, as a family and community mourn a young mother kidnapped too soon.