A 28-year-old Cuban man was arrested in Hialeah after being accused of causing the death of a friend's girlfriend by accidentally firing his firearm. The incident took place late last year, specifically on December 14, 2024, in a home where the accused resided.
According to the arrest report, the man, identified as Jendry Antolรญn Espinoza, was with several friends in a rented efficiency when he accidentally fired his firearm. When authorities arrived at the scene, they found a woman seriously wounded in the neck. Witnesses reported that the victim was his girlfriend, whom the defendant had accidentally shot.
Hialeah Police officers responded to the emergency call and upon arrival, Espinoza approached investigators admitting to being responsible for the shooting. Despite the efforts of the rescue team, the woman was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she unfortunately passed away.
During the defendant's court appearance, the prosecution indicated that Espinoza has been cooperating with the investigation. Witnesses confirmed that the group was enjoying a moment in the common area of โโthe house when Espinoza emerged from his room with the gun in his hand. At that moment, a shot was heard and the victim fell to the ground, bleeding.
Espinoza faces one count of involuntary manslaughter with a firearm, with bail set at $15,000. As part of the conditions of his release, he has been prohibited from using, carrying, purchasing or possessing firearms.
There were no other witnesses present at the crime scene, but a neighbor was able to speak to her and react to the incident. She described the neighborhood as โsuper quiet,โ suggesting that incidents like this highlight the importance of home security and firearms handling.
Experts in the field make recommendations to avoid accidents with weapons at home. It is suggested that if a weapon is purchased, it should be secured and kept in a safe. In addition, it is advisable that, if there are children in the home, the weapon should be kept in high places and out of their reach.
Espinoza's case remains under investigation, and more details are expected to be released in the future.
