Israel Perez, a 41-year-old Hispanic male, tragically died on March 20, 2018, in El Paso, Texas. The incident occurred when Perez was attempting to retrieve a shotgun from the trunk of a car. Unfortunately, the trigger got snagged, causing the firearm to discharge accidentally. Perez was found dead on the sidewalk at around 12:56 a.m. on Desert View Drive.
The El Paso Police Department's Crimes Against Persons unit conducted an investigation and determined that the shotgun had been illegally modified, including the removal of safety features such as the trigger guard, which left the trigger exposed. Perez had arrived at the location to sell the shotgun, and the case remains open pending the final autopsy report.
There were no arrests or suspects directly related to Perez's death, as it was ruled an accidental shooting. However, the investigation revealed that the shotgun's illegal modifications played a significant role in the tragic incident. The police used forensic evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding Perez's death, and the case remains under review while awaiting the final autopsy report. The incident highlights the dangers of handling and modifying firearms without proper safety measures in place.
