PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — The tragic event involving a 2-year-old boy, who accidentally shot and killed himself earlier this week, has led to the arrest of his mother and her fiancé. Authorities reported the incident, which unfolded in the quiet neighborhood of Northwest Zenith Drive, on a seemingly ordinary Friday night.
The heartbreaking shooting occurred around 7 p.m. in the boy’s home, a place that should have been a sanctuary for him. It was a moment that can only be described as unimaginable, where innocence collided violently with neglect. WATCH BELOW: Mother, fiancé arrested after toddler fatally shoots self
Mother, fiancé arrested after 2-year-old fatally shoots self
According to law enforcement, the child’s mother, 24-year-old Natalie Cruz, and her 25-year-old fiancé, Quintenn Wesley, now face serious charges following this tragic incident. When police arrived, they discovered the toddler on the bed in the master bedroom, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head—a painful image that echoes through the community.
Despite desperate efforts to save him, the child was transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital, only to be pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that unsecured firearms pose in homes filled with young children.
Port St Lucie
Police report: 2-year-old fatally shot himself with gun owned by mother’s fiancé
A preliminary investigation revealed that there were seven individuals present in the home during the shooting—a situation that might have appeared chaotic but ultimately reveals a much deeper neglect. Cruz was in the master bedroom with her son while Wesley, along with his sister, father, grandmother, and an infant, occupied the other areas of the home.
In a haunting statement, police noted, “The mother was on the bed with the child when she heard the shot. She turned to find her 2-year-old with a gunshot wound and a handgun beside him.” It was later confirmed that Wesley owned the 9 mm handgun believed to have been involved and that he had left two unsecured firearms within reach of the child.
Evidence was collected, with police seizing the handguns, along with a spent shell casing and the projectile, painting a clearer picture of that tragic evening. WATCH BELOW: Police investigate accidental shooting of 2-year-old
2-year-old dies from self-inflicted gunshot wound in Port St. Lucie
During their investigation, officers made a disturbing discovery: Cruz was a convicted felon in Florida, a fact that casts a shadow over the responsibilities expected of her as a caregiver. Both Cruz and Wesley were apprehended by U.S. Marshals in the parking lot of a Dollar General, a mere reminder of the everyday life that continues around such tragedies.
Port St. Lucie Police Chief Leo Niemczyk expressed a poignant truth: “They are the responsible caregivers for this juvenile child, and they failed to provide a safe environment by leaving loaded firearms within reach.” The charges against Cruz are serious; she faces possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a second-degree felony, and culpable negligence in allowing a minor access to a firearm, a third-degree felony. Wesley also faces a charge for his role in this tragic oversight.
When reflecting on this incident, Niemczyk shared a blunt comment: “When I see the careless handling of those firearms, my sympathy for the mother and this gentleman dwindles rapidly.” It’s a sobering reminder of the weight of responsibility that comes with firearm ownership, underscoring the necessity for safe storage, especially in a home with vulnerable children.
Cruz and Wesley have been detained in the St. Lucie County jail, their lives drastically altered by a single, preventable moment. Cruz’s bond was set at $55,000, while Wesley’s was established at $15,000. The eyes of the community reflect a mix of sorrow and outrage, grappling with the aftermath of such a loss amidst a backdrop of everyday normalcy.
This heart-wrenching event serves not just as a news story but as an urgent call to action for families everywhere. Young children, as all parents would agree, should be treasured and protected—yet, in this case, the very environment designed for their safety became a backdrop to an unthinkable tragedy. Every parent, every caregiver is reminded here, that vigilance and responsibility cannot be optional; the stakes are far too high.
