A community is in shock after a 13-year-old boy in Irvine died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound that has resulted in an adult facing criminal charges.
Officers and emergency medical personnel responded to a home in the area of Heathergreen and Weepingwood around 2:40 p.m. Thursday on reports of a juvenile suffering from a gunshot wound.
“When officers arrived, they found an injured juvenile and immediately began rendering medical aid. Sadly, he died a short time later,” Irvine police said.
Investigators believe the injury was self-inflicted. “We don’t know at this point, and we may never know if it was intentional or accidental,” Sgt. Karie Davies said.
The teen, later identified as Jonathan Kazemi, did not live at the residence and was there with another boy visiting a friend but it was unclear if anyone was with him when the gun went off, police said.
“It does not sound like it was a game, so we’re looking into what led up to this and why this happened,” Davies said. “He was well-liked. Popular kid, it sounds like … this is very tragic for his family and friends.”
Detectives said the gun was already in the residence and that they were interviewing the boy’s friends and at least one adult who was in the home Thursday evening.
Authorities announced Friday that 56-year-old Douglas Yeager of Irvine was arrested on suspicion of criminal storage of a firearm and child endangerment.
The child’s name was not officially released. Authorities confirmed he was an eighth-grade student at Southlake Middle School.
Police said they were working closely with the Irvine Unified School District, where support and resources would be offered to students and staff at the middle school.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Steen at [email protected].
