Christian Chavez was 15 when he was shot and killed at the Whistlers Cove Apartments near Lely Resort in Naples, Florida, on May 26, 2025. Deputies were dispatched about 1:12 a.m.; responding officers found Chavez slumped on a pool lounge chair with a gunshot wound to the head and a handgun lying nearby. A witness reported hearing a single shot and seeing someone run from the pool area.

Investigators traced the incident to a 13-year-old, Irving Adrian Jimenez Lopez, who was located with a friend; one of the boys had a purple handgun loaded with two rounds. Detectives described the shooting as occurring while the boys were playing with a loaded firearm and said those actions showed a reckless disregard for human life. Jimenez Lopez was arrested and charged with manslaughter; authorities indicated they believe the shooting was accidental.

Chavez was described by family and community members as a middle school student and soccer player, remembered as kind-hearted. Memorial pages and a fundraiser were created the day he died. If anyone knew Christian, was at Whistlers Cove that night, or has information about the firearm’s origins, please share what is known.