Gun Cleaning Accident Kills 15-year-old Girl

In an apartment in Northwood, Ohio, 15-year-old Symini Moore was shot and killed by 18-year-old Jakob Heintzelman, who told officials he was cleaning his gun when it unintentionally fired. Symini succumbed to her injuries before first responders arrived. Three other people were in the apartment with Symini; Heintzelman, his girlfriend and another male.

Symini was an honor roll student at her high school. From a GoFundMe page, she was “someone who poured her heart into everything she did—cheerleading, basketball, track, volleyball, wrestling, FFA, and choir. She showed up fully, supported others fiercely, and lifted people up simply by being herself.” She worked at a family-owned business and dreamed of becoming an OB nurse, and was “was counting down the days to getting her driver’s permit—excited for the independence and future she had so carefully imagined. That future was full of promise, love, and purpose.”

Heintzelman was arrested and charged with reckless homicide.

Source:

Andrew McMunn, “Suspect Claims He was Cleaning Gun in Shooting Death of 15-year-old Girl, Police Say,” 13abc.com (January 26, 2026).