On March 19, 2020, 13-year-old Patricio Arroyo was fatally shot in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The incident occurred at a residence near Central and Wyoming, where Arroyo was with his 19-year-old cousin, Anthony Padilla. Padilla had recently purchased a shotgun and was storing it at his uncle's home, as his mother did not permit firearms in their residence.
According to police reports, Padilla was preparing to take the shotgun home for protection amid the coronavirus outbreak.
He claimed that he pulled the trigger once without discharge, then 'racked' the shotgun while walking toward the door. Believing the gun was unloaded, Padilla pointed it at Arroyo and pulled the trigger again, striking him in the torso. Padilla immediately realized the severity of the situation and urged his cousin to 'stay awake' while awaiting emergency responders.
First responders arrived promptly and performed life-saving measures before transporting Arroyo to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Padilla was arrested at the scene and later charged with an open count of murder. He told investigators that he was unaware the shotgun was loaded and that the shooting was unintentional.
This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of firearm safety and the potential consequences of mishandling weapons, even in seemingly benign circumstances.
