The fatal shooting of a young mother allegedly by her 2-year-old toddler appears to be accidental, Fresno Police Lt. Paul Cervantes announced at a news conference Dec. 9.

Police say Jessinya Mina, 22, of Fresno was resting in bed next to her boyfriend when she was shot and killed at about 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 6. The bullet struck her in her chest, according to Cervantes.

The gun belonged to Mina’s boyfriend, Andrew Sanchez, 18, and was not properly stored, Cervantes said.

“The Fresno Police Department is deeply saddened by this type of tragedy,” Cervantes said. “It’s devastating and definitely serves as a stark reminder of the significance and importance of being able to properly store your weapon, and do so in a manner that children do not access it.”

Sanchez and other roommates apparently tried to revive Mina at the apartment. Police say they then put her into a vehicle and started driving to a hospital before calling 911.

The police dispatcher instructed Sanchez and the others to stop and wait for police and emergency responders to arrive, which they did.

However, it was too late for emergency measures to save her, according to Cervantes.

Mina was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead a short time later, Cervantes told reporters at Monday’s news conference.

Sanchez has no criminal history or any connections with gangs, according to Cervantes. The gun he owned—a 9 millimeter Keltec pistol—was kept loaded in the bedroom, according to police.

Police have found no ownership information on the firearm. The department is working with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

“This particular type of firearm does not have any external safety features,” Cervantes said.

Police recovered the gun from the victim’s apartment, which she shared with the roommates and her boyfriend, her 2-year-old boy, and an 8-month-old baby.

Police notified Child Protective Services after the shooting, and the children were released to be cared for by Mina’s family, Cervantes said.

Sanchez was not the father of either child, according to police.

Police immediately detained Sanchez after the shooting.

Sanchez indicated to investigators that he “was, in fact, responsible for placing the weapon in a location where it could be accessed,” Cervantes said. Sanchez was booked for negligent storage of a firearm and felony child endangerment. He has since posted bond and was released, according to police.

Investigators are working with the Fresno County district attorney’s office to determine if other charges should be filed, but at this point, they are not considering the incident a murder, Cervantes said.

“At this stage in the investigation, it appears to be a tragedy,” Cervantes said. “However, there is still work to be done.”

Police detectives are waiting for evidence collected at the scene to be forensically analyzed before making a judgment. Although the case is not considered a homicide, it could rise to the level of manslaughter or involuntary manslaughter, according to Cervantes.