Arizona father indicted on multiple felonies after 9-year-old fatally shoots 5-year-old sister
Prosecutors say Irvin Ramos-Jimenez stored an AR-style rifle in his son's bedroom; charges include child abuse and weapons offenses
An Arizona father, Irvin Ramos-Jimenez, 33, was indicted on multiple felony counts after his nine-year-old son used his AR-style rifle to fatally shoot his five-year-old daughter inside their Phoenix-area home, authorities said. The weapon had been stored on a high shelf in the boy's bedroom closet, placing the firearm within the child’s reach. The incident occurred on the night of June 3, according to police reports.
Maricopa County prosecutors announced Wednesday that Ramos-Jimenez faces one count of child abuse, a class three dangerous felony, and a domestic violence offense. He also faces felony charges for misconduct involving weapons and unlawful possession of a firearm. A Phoenix-area jury indicted him on one count of child abuse in August.
Prosecutors said Ramos-Jimenez had a prior drug trafficking conviction and was not legally permitted to own a firearm. He obtained the weapon illegally through a private sale for personal protection, despite admitting to police that he knew he was not allowed to possess a gun. Arizona law does not require private gun sellers to conduct background checks.
According to police reports, emergency responders were called to the psychiatric hospital where Layla’s family sought help for a separate incident. After officers investigated, they learned Layla had been shot. Ramos-Jimenez allegedly fled the psychiatric ward when ambulances arrived to transport his daughter to a trauma hospital, then returned home to care for his other children with the rifle still in the house. Local outlets reported further details of the timeline as investigators pursued the case.
Layla’s family has described her as a “little princess” whose life was cut short, and they recently established a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses. The family noted Layla was loving, smart, and a bright presence who is deeply missed by those who knew her.
The case is moving through the Arizona court system, with Ramos-Jimenez’s trial scheduled to begin in March 2026. Prosecutors say the indictment reflects ongoing concerns about firearm storage, parental responsibility, and the consequences of possessing a weapon without lawful authorization.