Brownsville – A quiet neighborhood on the 1300 block of South Indiana Avenue turned somber on January 30, 2026, after 15‑year‑old Angel Guerra was fatally shot in what authorities are calling a tragic accident.
Police say the shooting happened when a 14‑year‑old boy was handling a handgun that was in the home. At some point the weapon went off and a round struck Angel in the abdomen. Neighbors told reporters later that they heard the single shot and saw first responders rush to the scene. Angel was quickly taken to a nearby hospital, but he did not survive. He was just 15 years old.
The Brownsville Police Department confirmed the 14‑year‑old involved has been arrested and is facing manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting. Alongside that, 25‑year‑old Edgar Alexis Flores – identified as the owner of the firearm – was charged with making a firearm accessible to a child causing serious bodily injury or death, a Class A misdemeanor. Flores posted a $5,000 bond and was released.
Police officials called the incident heartbreaking and said the community is shaken. Officers held a brief press briefing where they expressed sympathy for Angel’s grieving family and urged anyone with information to come forward as part of their ongoing investigation.
Friends and relatives have been gathering in the days since at makeshift memorials near the shooting site. Flowers, candles and handwritten notes have been left in Angel’s memory, with many describing him as a kind, bright young man who had dreams and plans that now will go unfulfilled.
Family members launched a small fundraiser to help cover funeral expenses and give Angel a proper farewell. In heartfelt messages on social media platforms, siblings and relatives spoke about how much he was loved and how devastating it is to lose someone so young in a moment that feels senseless.
Residents in the area told local news crews that the loss has left the neighborhood in shock, and parents said they’re more cautious now about how guns are stored at home. Brownsville has seen its share of violent episodes over the years, but neighbors said losing one of their own, especially a teenager, hits especially hard.
Angel’s passing is being felt across the community – at schools, in parks where he used to play, and by classmates who now carry the weight of loss alongside everyday routines. The police continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and piece together the full story of how one moment of carelessness turned into a tragedy no family should ever endure.
