PHOENIX — For the third year in a row, firearm injuries are the leading cause of death for teens ages 15 to 17 in Arizona, according to an annual state report.
The Arizona Child Fatality Review Team's 31st Annual Report released just weeks ago finds in 2023, 51 teens aged 15 to 17 died from firearm injuries in Arizona. That's up more than 20% since 2021.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Las lesiones por armas de fuego vuelven a ser la principal causa de muerte entre los adolescentes de Arizona de 15 a 17 años
It was in 2021 that Greg Gutierrez lost his son, Jaiden Torrez at 16 years old.
"Losing him was just a great loss in our family," Gutierrez said.
Torrez was shot and killed near 19th Avenue and Missouri in February 2021, and his death remains unsolved.
"Haven’t heard nothing. Actually, all we heard is just more reports of other kids getting taken from their families as well," Gutierrez said.
The increase in teens dying by firearms is something Gutierrez says needs to be addressed.
"Nothing's being done about it. It's just getting worse in an area that really needs that attention on it. The kids is one thing we got to protect," Gutierrez said.
In the newest report, more than half of the 51 deaths from firearm injuries in teens aged 15 to 17 were homicides.
"My top concern is the fact that all these deaths are preventable," Dr. Mary Ellen Rimsza, a pediatrician and the chair of the Arizona Child Fatality Review, said. "And we're not taking action to prevent those deaths."
Rimsza has headed the annual review program for 31 years.
She says change has come through laws for preventable deaths like drownings and car seat requirements in motor vehicle crashes.
"Over the years, our recommendations have been taken seriously and action is done in many of these cases," Rimsza said. "But we've gone nowhere on guns. Somehow we have decided that the gun is too important that we can't set up any kind of legislation that might help us decrease gun deaths."
Rimsza reiterates it's a public health problem like the U.S. Surgeon General pointed to in an advisory earlier this year.
"It's not a second amendment issue. It's a public health issue, and we need to apply the principles of public health of looking at, you know, what can be done to prevent these injuries and deaths, and then take action on it," Rimsza said.
Parents Bruce and Claire Petillo lost their son Christian in 2021. The 15-year-old was at a sleepover when the Petillos say the boys found a gun and Christian was shot in the chest. The Petillos have been trying to get a safe storage law, named "Christian's Law," passed in Arizona for two years.
Rimsza says preventative measures like a safe storage law would help, but without it on the books in Arizona, action is needed by parents.
"People aren't aware of how risky it is to have guns in the home with teens. They think they can just put them in the top shelf of the closet, and the teen won't get at it. And teenagers are very smart, and unfortunately, they're moody. They often act impulsively," Rimsza said.
"Somebody needs to be held, held accountable for what you know their loved ones are doing," Gutierrez said.
As Gutierrez wants to see action too.
"It'd be nice to see these Governors and Senators and police chiefs and everybody get a little more involved," Gutierrez said.
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