HENDERSON, Nev. – A tragic incident involving two minor brothers in Henderson, Nevada, resulted in the death of a 12-year-old child after an argument over phones escalated into a fatal shooting in late January.
According to reports obtained by local news sources, the parents of the brothers, 51-year-old Jerel and 50-year-old Bryanna Reyes, were arrested in connection with the deadly shooting. The arrest reports shed light on the events leading up to the tragic incident that unfolded in their family home.
Police responded to the scene on Capital Gains Drive around 7:12 p.m. on Jan. 25, where they found the 12-year-old brother, who had been shot in the chest, had already been rushed to Henderson Hospital by Jerel Reyes. Despite medical efforts at Henderson Hospital, the child was transferred to Sunrise Hospital where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Inside the residence, authorities discovered a cache of firearms, some of which were accessible to the minor children living in the home. The tragic shooting took place in the living room, where a 9mm semi-automatic firearm was recovered from the sofa.
An investigation revealed that the argument between the brothers stemmed from a dispute over phones, escalating to the point where the 14-year-old sibling produced a gun. The sibling claimed it was an accident, as he had not realized the handgun was loaded – a firearm that their father admitted to owning and allowing his children to handle.
Both parents admitted to the negligence of leaving firearms unsecured in the home, despite their claims of prioritizing safety and protection. Jerel Reyes acknowledged allowing his sons to carry firearms around the house, citing concerns for his family’s safety after relocating to Las Vegas in 2017.
As a result of the incident, both parents were charged with child abuse and neglect. The tragic turn of events has shocked the quiet neighborhood, with neighbors expressing disbelief at the violence that unfolded within the Reyes family home.
The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the importance of gun safety and responsible firearm ownership, particularly when children are involved. The case continues to be under investigation as authorities work to understand the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.