A Wisconsin teenager has been sentenced to less than 10 years in prison after unintentionally killing his 10-year-old cousin with a gun. 19-year-old Javier Rodriguez pleaded guilty to one count of reckless homicide in the second degree following the death of Isdennyeliz Ortiz in 2024.
On Thursday, Rodriguez was sentenced by a Milwaukee County court to 10 years in prison, with credit for just under 14 months spent in pretrial detention. According to Law & Crime, he will also be placed on eight years of supervised release after completing his sentence.
The tragic incident occurred on May 31, 2024, in Milwaukee’s south side, where the residents of the building were reportedly all related. Around 12:40 a.m., 10-year-old Isdennyeliz Ortiz was lying in her mother’s bed when she was struck and killed by a gunshot that had passed through the ceiling.
Following the incident, the victim’s mother told police that her nephew, Rodriguez, had been playing with a gun when it accidentally discharged, WITI and WTMJ reported. Rodriguez, who was 18 years old at the time of the shooting, fled the scene before authorities arrived.
The case has drawn attention due to the heartbreaking nature of the incident and the young age of both the victim and the perpetrator. While the shooting was unintentional, the court determined that Rodriguez’s actions were reckless enough to warrant a conviction for second-degree reckless homicide.
In addition to his prison sentence, Rodriguez will face extensive supervised release, which could involve close monitoring and restrictions on his activities after his release from incarceration.
The sentencing has sparked conversations about gun safety and the tragic consequences of handling firearms recklessly. While Rodriguez expressed remorse for his actions, the family remains devastated by the loss of a young life. Isdennyeliz Ortiz’s death serves as a painful reminder of the importance of responsible gun ownership and handling.
Authorities have continued to emphasize the need for heightened safety measures to prevent such accidents in the future. As Rodriguez begins his sentence, his family, along with the community, will grapple with the long-lasting emotional consequences of this tragic event.