Jacob Lara, a 19-year-old male of Hispanic ethnicity, tragically died on July 15, 2016, in Houston, TX. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning at Lara's home in the 11200 block of Sageland Drive. Lara's girlfriend, a 16-year-old girl, accidentally shot him while they were handling his handgun. According to police, the gun discharged accidentally as the girlfriend attempted to latch the safety lock.
Lara was hit in the face and pronounced dead at the scene.
The case was investigated by the Houston Police Department's Homicide Division, and it was determined that there was no evidence of an argument or any fighting prior to the accidental shooting. Sgt. Hector Garcia of the HPD Homicide Division stated that it appeared to be a tragic accident. Friends and family members described Lara as a polite, educated young man who was passionate about cars and sports.
The case was referred to a Harris County grand jury to determine if any charges would be filed. However, there were no arrests or suspects identified in connection with the incident, as it was deemed an accident. The community and Lara's family were left devastated by the sudden loss, and a GoFundMe account was set up to help cover the funeral expenses.
In summary, Jacob Lara's death was ruled an accidental shooting by his girlfriend, and no criminal charges were filed. The incident was a heartbreaking tragedy that deeply affected those who knew him.