Teen Fatally Shoots Herself After Posing With Gun for Video

In Dallas, Texas, 15-year-old high school freshman, Joselyn Esparza, fatally shot herself after posing for a social media post with a gun her younger brother had brought home. A friend gave the gun to Joselyn’s 14-year-old brother who showed it to her, not knowing it was loaded. When she was went to hand the gun back to her brother after shooting a video with it, she accidentally shot herself in the face.

The family is trying to cope with their grief and feelings of guilt. Her mother blames herself for being asleep at the time, despite the fact the she works at night as a cleaning lady. The family is originally from Mexico, and she said that though Joselyn was born in Dallas, she hopes to bury her in Mexico, and is now considering moving back there. Her older brother is also having a hard time coping, describing his little sister as their parents’ favorite child; her father’s ”princess.” He felt he should have paid closer attention to his younger siblings.

It is not known if anyone will be charged, but the investigation is still active.

Source:

Maria Guerrero, “Dallas Teen Dies in Accidental Shooting with Gun Brother Brought Home,” nbcdfw.com (May 14, 2025).