Father Pleads Guilty After Daughter’s Tragic Shooting

A father in Kansas has admitted to carelessly leaving a handgun within reach of his young daughters, which led to a heartbreaking incident where his 3-year-old shot and killed her 1-year-old sister at their home in Wichita, as detailed in court documents and a police affidavit.

Michael Tejeda, 26, recently pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment related to the shooting that occurred in February 2025. Prosecutors, as part of a plea deal, decided to drop the more serious charge of first-degree murder.

The tragic event unfolded on February 28. After the shooting, Tejeda called 911 and informed the dispatcher that his older daughter had accidentally shot her younger sister, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by a local news outlet.

Authorities noted that Tejeda admitted to falling asleep while looking after his daughters during the mother’s absence. He revealed to police that he was carrying a handgun in a holster that wasn’t secured properly. At one point, he claimed to have put the gun on a mantelpiece and then left the room to change clothes.

Tejeda confessed, “I knew better, but I should have put it somewhere else,” as per court documents. Shortly after, he heard a loud bang, found his 3-year-old daughter in tears, and discovered his 1-year-old on the couch with a gunshot wound to the head.

According to investigators, Tejeda acknowledged that his older daughter had shown curiosity about firearms in the past.

The surviving child was later interviewed at a Child Advocacy Center, but she did not mention the incident during questioning.

Local reports suggest that attorneys for both the prosecution and defense will recommend a moderate sentence in line with Kansas guidelines. Tejeda’s sentencing is scheduled for July 9.

As of now, representatives from the authorities have not responded to requests for comments regarding the case.