A 22-year-old California mother, Jessinya Mina, tragically died after her 2½-year-old toddler accidentally shot her with an unsecured handgun, Fresno police reported Monday, December 9. The incident occurred on Friday, December 6, at the apartment Mina shared with her 8-month-old infant, her toddler, and her 18-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez.
According to Fresno Police Lt. Paul Cervantes, the toddler accessed a loaded 9mm handgun that had been improperly stored. “The loaded 9mm handgun was stored in a location where the toddler accessed the firearm, and at some point while handling that particular weapon, the toddler was able to manipulate the trigger, and it actually struck Mina as she was lying in bed,” Cervantes said during a news conference.
After the shooting, Sanchez and other roommates attempted to save Mina’s life. “They were in the process of transporting her to the hospital when they made the 911 call,” Cervantes explained. Emergency responders instructed them to stay at the scene until police and medical personnel arrived.
Mina, who suffered a single gunshot wound to her upper body, was treated on-site before being transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Sanchez admitted to investigators that he had placed the firearm in a location accessible to the toddler. He was arrested and booked into Fresno County Jail on charges of felony child endangerment and felony criminal storage of a firearm. Sanchez, who has no prior criminal history, has since posted bail.
“We’re continuing to work this investigation forward, collaborating with the district attorney’s office to see [that] the appropriate charges are going to be filed,” Cervantes said, adding that forensic analysis and Mina’s autopsy remain part of the ongoing investigation.
Cervantes emphasized 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 significance and importance of properly storing your weapon 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 anyone she ever encountered.” Rodriguez shared that Mina was pursuing her dream of returning to cosmetology school.
“My niece and nephew will have to live off of memories and stories of my sister rather than her presence,” Rodriguez said. She has since 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 taken far too soon.
