In a tragic incident on the morning of September 3, 2021, 38-year-old Michele Cox, a female resident of Casa Grande, Arizona, sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The shooting occurred at an apartment complex where she resided with her four children and her boyfriend. Authorities believe the shooting was accidental and that the person responsible was her 5-year-old son.
At the time of the incident, Cox's four sons, ranging in age from four to twelve, and her 40-year-old
boyfriend were all present in the home. According to investigators, the 5-year-old boy somehow gained access to a handgun and unintentionally shot his mother. Emergency services were dispatched to the residence, and Cox was airlifted to a hospital in Chandler with life-threatening injuries. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Casa Grande Police Department launched an investigation into the circumstances of the shooting. While the incident was preliminarily deemed a tragic accident, authorities were working with the Pinal County Attorney's Office to determine if any criminal negligence was a contributing factor. A handgun was recovered from the scene, but initial reports did not specify who the owner of the weapon was. Cox’s brother described her as a very giving and loving person, and the family was left devastated by the sudden loss. No arrests were immediately announced in connection with the incident.
