BATON ROUGE, LA — East Baton Rouge Parish leaders are calling for stronger gun safety after 13-year-old Joshua Ortega died in an accidental shooting earlier this month while he and two other teenagers were taking pictures and handling a handgun. Officials say the death is part of a troubling pattern this year, with five juveniles age 17 or younger killed in negligent or accidental shootings in the parish.
The Facts
- What: 13-year-old Joshua Ortega was killed in an accidental shooting while he and two other teenagers were handling a handgun.
- Where: East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
- When: Earlier this month, according to local officials speaking about the death.
- Who: Joshua Ortega and two other teenagers were involved in the incident.
- Charges: No criminal charges were mentioned in the available information.
- Status: Officials are using the death to press for safer firearm storage and keeping guns away from children.
What police say
Officials did not describe the shooting in detail, but the death was identified as accidental. The case was raised publicly as part of a broader warning about juvenile gun deaths in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Residents and gun owners interviewed in the parish said firearms should not be left where children can reach them. One resident said a gun should be put away if it is registered to the owner, underscoring the local concern about access in the home.
David Groce, who owns P&D Concealed Carry and Gun Shop, said hiding a weapon is not enough to keep children safe. He said adults must educate children about guns and make sure firearms are never left within reach.
“Responsible gun ownership is the number one priority when you do have a weapon, regardless of how you will receive that weapon,” East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore said.
The investigation
No arrest or criminal case was described in the information made public, and officials did not identify a suspect. The death was discussed as an accidental shooting, which often leads investigators to reconstruct how the gun was being handled, who had access to it, and whether it was stored safely.
In cases like this, detectives and prosecutors commonly look at the location of the weapon, statements from witnesses, and any evidence showing whether a child or teen could reach the firearm. Even when a death is ruled accidental, investigators may still review whether negligence played a role.
Groce said his shop offers free gun locks to anyone who needs them, along with children’s gun safety classes and first-aid training. Those kinds of community resources are often part of the broader effort to prevent repeat tragedies, especially when children are in the home.
What the charges mean
No charges were announced in connection with Ortega’s death, so there is no criminal case to explain from these facts alone. In general, when a shooting is investigated as accidental, authorities may still review whether someone could face charges tied to unsafe storage, negligent conduct, or another firearms offense, depending on the evidence and state law.
If a prosecutor believes the law was broken, the next step is usually a charging decision, followed by a court appearance and later hearings on evidence, plea discussions, or trial scheduling. If no crime can be proven, the case may remain classified as an accident with no filing.
Separately, the parish district attorney’s comments reflect a standard legal point: gun owners are expected to secure firearms, especially when children are present. The exact charge, if any, depends on what investigators can prove about access, handling, and responsibility.
What happens next
Officials did not announce any upcoming court date or public hearing in the available information. The broader message from parish leaders is focused on prevention, with emphasis on locking firearms away and making sure children cannot reach them.
As the parish continues to deal with juvenile gun deaths this year, local leaders are urging families to treat safe storage as a basic household responsibility rather than an optional precaution.
Have information on a crime? Contact local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
