On Friday, September 15, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in South Beloit, Illinois, resulting in the death of 10-year-old Aidyn Hansen. Aidyn was at the home of Jose Manuel Sandoval-Tenorio in the Northgate Estates, just south of Shirland Road on Townline Avenue, where he had been friends with Sandoval-Tenorio's 9-year-old son since they were four or five years old.
Aidyn's mother, Ashley Gray, had dropped him off at the Sandoval-Tenorio residence around 7 p.m. that evening.
Sandoval-Tenorio and his wife had left the two boys alone to attend a festival in Beloit, leaving behind two unsecured pistols hidden under a loose floorboard in the bedroom. Despite the boys being left unsupervised, Ashley Gray had previously never had any issues with the child or his parents.
The incident unfolded when the 9-year-old friend of Aidyn allegedly accessed one of the unsecured pistols. At 7:20 p.m., the 9-year-old called Aidyn's cousin, and shortly after, at 7:58 p.m., Aidyn's cousin informed Ashley Gray that her son had a "hole in his stomach" and was unconscious. Ashley immediately called 911, and Winnebago County Sheriff's deputies arrived within three minutes. Aidyn was transported to Javon Bea Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a bullet wound to his heart at 8:40 p.m..
The investigation revealed that the 9-year-old friend had made a video of the incident on his phone and hid the gun afterwards. The bullet wound indicated that Aidyn had his back to the shooter but was turning toward him when the shot was fired. Despite being taught gun safety, the circumstances of the shooting remain under investigation.
Jose Manuel Sandoval-Tenorio was charged with endangering the life or health of a child and not having a Firearm Owners Identification Card. During a detention hearing, Associate Judge Scott R. Paccagnini ruled that Sandoval-Tenorio was not a danger to society and not a flight risk, allowing him to be released until his next hearing on October 17, 2023. However, the judge ordered Sandoval-Tenorio to have no contact with his wife or children, stay away from the family home, and not have access to any weapons or guns.
Aidyn Hansen leaves behind a loving family, including a 2-year-old brother, a 6-year-old sister whom he was teaching to read, his mother Ashley Gray, and other relatives. The community has set up a GoFundMe and a Meal Train to support the family during this difficult time.
