A tragic incident unfolded in Port St. Lucie, Florida, when a 2-year-old boy accidentally shot himself while in bed, leading to his death. The incident occurred on the evening of February 18, when police responded to a report of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to a child’s head. The toddler was found in a bedroom, surrounded by a significant amount of blood and struggling to breathe, according to an arrest affidavit.
Emergency services rushed the child to the hospital, but despite their best efforts, the boy was pronounced dead. The investigation revealed that five adults were present in the house at the time of the incident, including the boy’s mother, 24-year-old Natalie Cruz, her 25-year-old fiance, Quintenn Wesley, and other family members. Two other children, including an infant, were also in the house.
Cruz reportedly told investigators that she was in bed with the toddler and another child, distracted by her phone and eating, when she heard a loud noise that left her ears ringing. Upon looking over, she discovered her son bleeding. A family member rushed into the room to assist upon hearing Cruz’s panicked cries. The family member told detectives that the firearm must have been on the bed as the boy reached it quickly.
Cruz claimed that Wesley had returned home about 10 minutes before the shooting and had placed the gun on a glass table next to the bed. She stated that he had removed the magazine and the bullet from the chamber. During the interview, Cruz admitted to being a convicted felon, prohibited from possessing firearms due to a 2018 conviction for grand theft auto.
Wesley, the owner of the gun, confirmed Cruz’s account of him unloading the gun shortly before the incident. He denied leaving an extra round in the chamber. However, detectives found a full magazine near the gun, contradicting Wesley’s claim. The police also noted the lack of safe storage for the firearm, despite the presence of a gun safe in the house that Wesley had access to but did not use. A second gun was found under a couch in the bedroom.
On February 20, both Cruz and Wesley invoked their right to an attorney and ceased communication with investigators. Police received anonymous tips suggesting the couple planned to flee the area to evade arrest. U.S. Marshals observed the couple packing their vehicle. The couple was arrested in a Dollar General parking lot in Port St. Lucie.
Cruz is facing charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and culpable negligence for allowing a minor to access a firearm resulting in death. Wesley is also charged with culpable negligence. Cruz’s bond is set at $55,000, while Wesley’s is $15,000. Both are currently held at the St. Lucie County Jail.