Andrew Paz Jr., a 25-year-old resident of Bangor, California, tragically lost his life on October 11, 2016. The incident occurred early in the morning when Andrew was brought to the Bangor Fire Station with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen. Despite the efforts of Cal Fire employees to revive him, Andrew was unresponsive and succumbed to his injuries.
The circumstances surrounding his death led to an investigation by the Butte County Sheriff's Office.
The investigation revealed that Andrew Paz Jr. was shot by his younger brother, Lorenzo Paz II, who was 21 years old at the time. Lorenzo was initially charged with involuntary manslaughter, as it was alleged that he was armed with a .22-caliber pistol during the incident. The shooting took place at their family property on Bangor Park Road. According to testimonies, there was no animosity between the brothers, and the firearm used had a light trigger pull, which may have contributed to the accidental discharge.
During the preliminary hearing at Butte County Superior Court, evidence was presented that suggested the shooting was accidental. Deputy Sheriff Vong Vang testified that he found Andrew at the fire station, and Butte County Sheriff's Detective Jay Freeman provided further details about the investigation. Freeman testified that Lorenzo initially claimed he did not know what happened to his brother but later admitted to holding the firearm when it accidentally discharged. The handgun was found hidden in the home's basement, and it was revealed that their father, Andres Paz, had also accidentally shot himself with the same gun weeks prior.
The case against Lorenzo Paz II was eventually dismissed by visiting Judge Jane York Punneo, who found insufficient evidence to hold him for trial. The judge concluded that the evidence did not rise to the level of criminal negligence required for an involuntary manslaughter charge. The dismissal highlighted the tragic nature of the incident and served as a reminder of the dangers associated with firearms. Lorenzo Paz was left to live with the weight of the tragedy, and the case underscored the importance of firearm safety and responsible handling.
