Woman dies after being shot at Superstition Springs Mall; teenage suspect accused of manslaughter
MESA, Ariz. - A teen is accused by Mesa Police of accidentally shooting and killing another person inside a car at the Superstition Springs Mall on Monday, Oct. 24.
Just before 2 p.m., officers responded to reports of a woman shot while inside a car near the entrance of the mall.
"Initial call comments stated a woman was shot by a bullet that came through the front car windshield," police said in a news release.
Once at the scene, officers found 20-year-old Elena Hernandez, who had been shot. She was taken to a hospital where she later died.
Investigators say evidence at the scene indicated that a gun was fired from inside the car. After speaking to a 16-year-old boy who was riding in the back seat, investigators say the boy was playing with the gun when he accidentally pulled the trigger. The bullet went through the front passenger seat and hit Hernandez.
The teen suspect was arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center. He is accused of multiple charges, including manslaughter.
No further details were released.