Teen Gets 10 Years for Accidentally Killing Cousin While Playing With Gun
A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when 10-year-old Isdennyeliz Ortiz was fatally shot in her sleep by her 18-year-old cousin, Javier Rodriguez, who had been playing with a firearm. On August 1, 2025, a Milwaukee County judge sentenced Rodriguez—now 19—to 10 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release.
Rodriguez had previously pleaded guilty in June to second-degree reckless homicide for the May 31, 2024, incident. Prosecutors said the shooting was unintentional but entirely preventable, stemming from the teen’s reckless handling of a loaded weapon.
A Family Shattered
The fatal shooting occurred just after 12:40 a.m. inside a split-level home on West Orchard Street on Milwaukee’s south side. All of the home’s residents were family members. Isdennyeliz was sleeping in her mother’s bed alongside her baby brother when a bullet tore through the ceiling, striking her in the chest.
Her mother awoke to her daughter saying “ouch.” She turned on the light to find blood, a fresh bullet hole in the ceiling, and her daughter unresponsive. Minutes later, Rodriguez came rushing downstairs, visibly distraught. “It’s my fault,” he reportedly told her. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”
Isdennyeliz’s 14-year-old sister also heard Rodriguez say similar words as he entered the room, according to the criminal complaint. His apology would be repeated several times that night as the family grappled with the horror of what had just occurred.
A Tragic Chain of Mistakes
Rodriguez had been in the upstairs unit with a relative and a firearm when it discharged. Investigators believe the bullet passed through a couch cushion, then penetrated the floor—ultimately striking the young girl downstairs.
Security footage played a crucial role in the investigation. Just before the shot, Rodriguez was seen outside near a pool, visibly carrying a tan firearm and wearing a blue glove. Moments later, he entered the house. Less than a minute later, a loud bang was captured on the surveillance audio. Cameras then showed Rodriguez frantically pacing the backyard area, visibly panicked.
Rodriguez fled the scene before police arrived. He was arrested a few days later and charged with reckless homicide. His grandmother later recounted how he came to her basement unit, clearly shaken, asking if she and her husband were okay. Moments later, his father told her what had happened: Rodriguez had been playing with a gun, and the shot hit Isdennyeliz.
Further investigation revealed an alarming detail—this wasn’t the first time a firearm had accidentally discharged inside the home. Roughly a month earlier, a similar incident had occurred when a bullet traveled from the upper floor into the living room below, though no one was injured.
Multiple Firearms in the Home
Following the fatal shooting, police searched the residence and uncovered a cache of loaded firearms and ammunition. Inside a closet, they discovered a satchel containing:
- A loaded black 9mm Taurus semi-automatic pistol
- A loaded green 9mm Taurus pistol
- A loaded tan 9mm Springfield pistol
- A 50-round capacity drum magazine loaded with 39 rounds
- Two additional loaded 10-round magazines
The sheer number of unsecured weapons in the household shocked even seasoned officers.
Justice and Heartbreak in the Courtroom
Rodriguez had faced a maximum sentence of 25 years before taking a plea deal. Prosecutors accepted the plea to spare the grieving family a lengthy trial. Though the shooting was not intentional, the court determined Rodriguez’s behavior showed gross negligence and disregard for the safety of others.
In sentencing Rodriguez, the judge emphasized the irreversible damage done. A young girl lost her life, and a family was torn apart. Rodriguez, who had no prior criminal record, will spend the next decade in prison, with his release projected in 2034.
He will also serve eight years of extended supervision, during which he must adhere to strict behavioral and legal conditions.
A Cautionary Tale
The case underscores the deadly consequences of unsecured firearms and careless behavior, especially in homes with children. Police, prosecutors, and child safety advocates have pointed to the tragedy as a wake-up call.
“It takes one second to change a life forever,” said one officer. “That’s why safe gun storage and responsible handling are absolutely essential.”
The Ortiz family continues to mourn the loss of their daughter, sister, and granddaughter. Isdennyeliz was described as a joyful, bright child who loved playing with her siblings. Her death serves as a grim reminder of the lethal risks posed by firearms in the wrong hands.
As the community grapples with the loss, Milwaukee authorities urge all gun owners to store their weapons securely — and to understand that tragedy can strike without warning when safety is ignored.
