A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Phoenix, Arizona, after a 5-year-old girl was accidentally shot and killed by her older brother, who found their father’s assault rifle inside the family home.
Police say 33-year-old Irvin Ramos-Jimenez was arrested following the June 3 incident. According to court documents cited by the Arizona Republic, Ramos-Jimenez told officers he was outside when he heard a loud gunshot. He rushed inside to his 9-year-old son’s bedroom—where he reportedly stored the weapon on the top shelf—and discovered his daughter, Layla Ramos, had been shot.
Ramos-Jimenez allegedly told police that his son “must have grabbed the gun.” Two 14-year-olds were also reportedly in the room at the time of the shooting.
Phoenix police responded to the call around 9 p.m. Layla was rushed to the hospital by family members but was soon pronounced dead from her injuries.
Authorities later discovered that Ramos-Jimenez is a convicted felon and not legally allowed to possess a firearm. He was arrested and booked into jail for illegal possession of a weapon.
During a court hearing, prosecutors said the case was far more serious than a typical weapons charge. “He brought a gun into a home with kids,” prosecutors stated. “Not just any gun—an assault rifle. He stored it in his 9-year-old’s bedroom. If the gun had not been in the house, we wouldn’t have had the outcome that we did.”
Layla’s uncle, Jose Ramos, launched a GoFundMe to help with funeral costs. In the post, he wrote, “It pains our hearts to announce the passing of my beloved niece, Layla. She was our little princess, who received her wings far too soon. She was so loving, intelligent, and a truly beautiful soul.”
Her mother, Dolores Ramirez, also spoke through tears in an interview with ABC15. “She had the gentlest soul — kind, soft-hearted, and always so loving,” she said. “Layla was the kind of child who made everyone feel special with just a smile or a quiet hug.”
“She was so excited to start school,” Ramirez added. “She loved deeply and purely, and that love will stay with us forever.”
Layla’s family plans to bury her in a special section meant for children who have passed.
Another POS criminal with no common sense. Another reason why gun laws don’t matter because felons dont follow laws.