Jessinya Mina, a 22-year-old mother of two from Fresno, California, lost her life in a tragic and preventable shooting after her two-year-old son accessed an unsecured firearm. The loaded 9mm handgun, belonging to Mina’s boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, discharged as the child handled it, striking Mina as she lay on her bed. Despite medical efforts, Mina died at the hospital.
Police have charged Sanchez, 18, with felony negligent storage of a firearm and felony child endangerment. Jessica Rodriguez, the older sister of Jessinya, shared that Mina had repeatedly asked her boyfriend to remove the firearm from their home, requests he failed to honor. “Now, because of her boyfriend’s carelessness, his arrogance, his responsibility, and neglecting my sister’s wishes of never having a gun in her house, she’s gone forever,” Rodriguez told the media.
The two children, a toddler and an eight-month-old infant, have been placed in the care of Mina’s parents. Child Protective Services has been notified, and the police investigation continues, focusing on the firearm’s ownership and storage.
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist Mina’s family with funeral costs and provide support for her children. Messages on the campaign page express grief over the loss of a young mother who was remembered as a devoted parent. Rodriguez shared that her sister deeply cherished her children. Both friends and strangers have voiced their sorrow and anger, with some emphasizing the preventable nature of the tragedy and calling for greater accountability among gun owners. The fundraising effort has raised over $3,500.
Data shows firearms are now the leading cause of death for children in the U.S., underscoring the critical need for secure storage. In 2021, there were 2,571 firearm-related deaths among individuals aged zero to 17, marking a 68% increase since 2000 and a 107% rise since 2013. Experts emphasize locking guns in safes and using trigger locks to prevent tragedies.
Jessinya’s death is a heartbreaking reminder of the consequences of negligence. Lt. Paul Cervantes of the Fresno Police Department emphasized that tragedies like this are entirely preventable. He called on gun owners to recognize their responsibility to secure firearms properly, especially in homes with children.
Cervantes noted the devastating impact on the family, stating that two young children had been left without their mother, a situation that could have been avoided with simple safety precautions. His words reflect the growing call for accountability and the urgent need for better education on gun safety practices.