In a tragic turn of events on a Tuesday afternoon in Wichita, Kansas, 18-year-old Jeremy Retana lost his life. The incident unfolded inside a home on South Sycamore Avenue on September 8, 2020. What began as an ordinary day ended in a devastating accident that would alter several lives forever.
Earlier that day, 21-year-old Christian Enrique Concha was at the residence with his girlfriend, who was babysitting two young boys, ages nine and ten.
Concha had a loaded handgun which he allowed the two children to handle. Later, Concha and the babysitter left the home to go to a gas station, leaving the two boys in the care of Jeremy Retana. Critically, the loaded firearm was left unattended in the house with them.
In the moments that followed, the nine-year-old boy picked up the unsecured gun. Tragically, he accidentally fired the weapon, striking Jeremy Retana in the head. When emergency services arrived at the home around 4 p.m., they found Retana, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of Christian Enrique Concha. He was taken into custody and faced charges of first-degree murder and aggravated child endangerment. Authorities stated that a nine-year-old child could not be held criminally culpable for the shooting. The incident served as a grim reminder of the potential consequences when firearms are not kept secure from children.
