A man is arrested in connection with the teen’s death at an Irvine residence. Hetty Chang reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Friday March 28, 2025.
A man was arrested on weapons and child endangerment charges after a 13-year-old middle school student died at an Irvine home from what authorities described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police responded Thursday afternoon to the home near Heathergreen and Weepingwood, just north of the 405 Freeway in Orange County, and found the teen boy suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper body. The child, who did not reside at the home and was visiting a friend, died a short time later.
It was not immediately clear whether the gunshot was intentional or accidental, police said.
The teen, a student at South Lake Middle School in Irvine, found the loaded gun on a bedside table, according to police.
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A 56-year-old man, identified as the uncle of the teen's friend, was arrested on suspicion of criminal storage of a firearm and child endangerment.
About nine unsecured rifles and two handguns were in the home, Sgt. Karie Davies said. Most were not loaded.
"As gun owners, you have to be responsible," Davies said. "That's one of the things they go over when you purchase a handgun or any gun is responsibility. <ost guns are given locks so you can lock them up."
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Counselors were made available to students and staff at the school on Friday, police said.
"Sad. We just want to show support," said 13-year-old classmate Jackson Fliss, part of a group of students who left flowers outside the family's home. "I had a few classes with him and a few laughs over the past few years."
