On October 18, 2022, 15-month-old Angelo Richardo Barcenas Torres was fatally shot at a residence on the 500 block of Woodward Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, shortly after 7 p.m. A 3-year-old child in the home fired a loaded 9mm handgun that had been left unsupervised and accessible on a table. The child sustained a gunshot wound to the head and neck and was pronounced dead at the scene. At the time of the incident, two of the victim's siblings were the sole caregivers of the children in the home and were not properly supervising them, and another sibling had left the loaded firearm accessible. A total of seven children were in the home. The Lancaster County coroner ruled the manner of death a homicide. Following a safety assessment, the six surviving children were placed with a relative. No criminal charges were filed at the time of reporting, though the investigation remained open. The family was previously known to child welfare.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
Multiple documents confirm the child was fatally shot. The fatality report states: "the victim child was shot by another child in the home." The Daily Voice article reports he was "shot dead by his 3-year-old cousin." The Fox56 article states officers "found an infant on the floor with a gunshot wound." The Daily Voice article further notes: "a 9-millimeter handgun — missing a serial number, with an extended 30-round magazine and laser light — was found on a table next to Torres' body."
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
The fatality report explicitly states: "two of the siblings were the sole caregivers of the children at the time of the incident and were not properly supervising the children; the one other sibling left a loaded firearm unsupervised and accessible to the children at the time of the incident." This clearly describes inappropriate supervision of the children, which resulted in a 3-year-old accessing and firing a loaded weapon.
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
The fatality report explicitly states: "Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Services Agency indicated the report on December 13, 2022, naming the victim child's three siblings as the perpetrators." Two siblings were the sole caregivers who were not properly supervising, and one sibling left a loaded firearm accessible. The Daily Voice article identifies the shooter as a "3-year-old cousin," but the official government fatality report names them as siblings, and official sources are favored per the analytical guidelines.
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
The fatality report explicitly states: "The family was previously known to child welfare." This confirms a history of child protection involvement prior to this child's death.
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
Several notable details emerge from the sources. The Daily Voice article reports the weapon was "a 9-millimeter handgun — missing a serial number, with an extended 30-round magazine and laser light" found on a table next to the body, while "toy guns were strewn on the dining room floor next to it, including one that looked like a real gun." This juxtaposition of real and toy firearms is significant context for how a 3-year-old accessed and discharged the weapon. Additionally, "A scale with a 'white substance' was found during the warranted search," suggesting possible drug activity in the home, though no charges were filed. The fatality report names the perpetrators as "the victim child's three siblings," while the Daily Voice article identifies the shooter as a "3-year-old cousin," revealing a discrepancy in the described family relationship. The fatality report also notes there were seven children total in the home with only sibling-age individuals as sole caregivers, raising questions about the whereabouts of adult guardians.
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