Wisconsin Teen Sentenced 10 Years For Accidental Cousin Homicide

In May 2024, 19-year-old Javier Rodriguez in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, accidentally shot and killed his 10-year-old cousin, Isdennyeliz Ortiz, while mishandling a gun upstairs in their family home. The bullet traveled through a couch cushion and the floor and ceiling before striking Isdennyeliz as she slept in her mother's bed. Rodriguez, who was 18 at the time, admitted to playing with the gun when it discharged and fled before police arrived, but was arrested days later. He pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide and was sentenced to 10 years in prison with nearly 14 months credited for pretrial detention, followed by eight years of supervised release. After the incident, Rodriguez expressed remorse, repeatedly telling the victim's mother, "It's my fault. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." The tragic event highlights the dangers of unsecured firearms in family settings and the devastating consequences of accidental shootings.