A tragic accident in Fresno, California, has left a young mother dead after her 2-year-old son accidentally shot her while she was sleeping. The toddler managed to grab a loaded 9 mm pistol that had been left within reach in their bedroom. The firearm belonged to the woman’s 18-year-old boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, who now faces serious felony charges.
The victim, 22-year-old Jessinya Mina, was a mother of two and lived at the Butterfly Grove Apartments. On Friday evening, Fresno Police responded to the heartbreaking scene after receiving a call about a shooting. According to investigators, Sanchez had “negligently” stored his handgun in a place where the children could easily access it. Tragically, Mina’s 2-year-old son found the gun and pulled the trigger.
Fresno Police Lieutenant Paul Cervantes explained at a press conference that the weapon, a 9 mm KelTec, is particularly dangerous because it lacks an external safety feature. He noted that the gun’s trigger requires only about five to six pounds of pressure to fire, making it possible for a small child to use it. “Unfortunately, this kind of incident has happened before,” Cervantes said, emphasizing the importance of safely storing firearms.
Sanchez was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment and felony criminal storage of a firearm. He was booked into the Fresno County Jail but has since posted bail. While the police believe the toddler unintentionally caused his mother’s death, they continue to investigate and are working with the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office to determine if more charges should be filed.
Mina’s sister, Jessica Rodriguez, spoke out about the devastating loss. She described her sister as a loving, devoted mother who had dreams for the future. “Because of her boyfriend’s carelessness, my sister is gone forever,” Rodriguez said. She shared how Mina had always been against having a gun in the house, but her boyfriend ignored her wishes. Now, Mina’s two children—a 2-year-old son and a 7-month-old daughter—will grow up without their mother.
The family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses. The fundraiser highlights Mina’s vibrant personality and her love for her children. “She was full of life, an amazing mother who deserved to live a long, happy life with her kids,” it reads.
Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. “This serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the importance of keeping guns safely out of reach from children,” Lieutenant Cervantes said.
The incident has left the community shaken and mourning the loss of a young woman whose life was cut short due to negligence.
