Gun Violence Surge: Arizona Teens Face Alarming Rise in Fatal Injuries

PHOENIX — An alarming trend in firearm-related deaths among Arizona teens has been highlighted in the Arizona Child Fatality Review Team’s 31st Annual Report. For the third consecutive year, firearm injuries rank as the leading cause of death for teenagers aged 15 to 17. In 2023, 51 lives were lost to gun violence, marking a staggering increase of over 20 percent since 2021.

This rise in fatalities has struck hard, affecting families such as that of Greg Gutierrez, who lost his son Jaiden Torrez to gun violence at the age of 16. Torrez was shot in February 2021, and his case remains unsolved. “Losing him was just a great loss in our family,” Gutierrez expressed, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the rising death toll.

Gutierrez lamented the lack of progress in solving these crimes, stating, “I haven’t heard anything. All we hear is more reports of other kids getting taken from their families.” With more than half of the reported deaths classified as homicides, he calls for increased attention and action to protect the youth.

Dr. Mary Ellen Rimsza, chair of the Arizona Child Fatality Review, underscored the preventability of these deaths. “All these deaths are preventable,” she asserted, pointing out that while progress has been made in reducing fatalities from drownings and car accidents through legislation, gun violence has not prompted similar action.

Rimsza argued that the issue transcends the Second Amendment, framing it as a public health crisis. “We need to apply the principles of public health to prevent these injuries and deaths,” she noted, stressing the need for effective legislation to mitigate the dangers associated with firearms.

Parents Bruce and Claire Petillo, who lost their son Christian in a 2021 shooting incident, have been advocating for a safe gun storage law, dubbed “Christian’s Law.” Their son was accidentally shot during a sleepover when children came across a firearm, underscoring the necessity for responsible gun storage practices.

Despite the absence of legal requirements for safe storage in Arizona, Rimsza insists that parents must take initiative. “People aren’t aware of how risky it is to have guns in the home with teens,” she warned, urging parents to recognize that placing firearms out of reach is often insufficient. “Teenagers are smart and impulsive,” she added.

Gutierrez echoed this sentiment, calling for accountability among those who own firearms and urging more community involvement from lawmakers and law enforcement leaders. “It’d be nice to see these Governors and Senators and police chiefs get a little more involved,” he stated.