Caroline Guzman was 15 when she was fatally shot at her family home on the South Side of San Antonio on July 4, 2017. She was outside playing with two other children, a 12-year-old boy and a 2-year-old, when a bullet struck her in the chest.

Initial reports suggested the round came from a nearby field, but investigators found inconsistencies. Police located a semi-automatic handgun inside the house. After interviews, the 12-year-old ultimately confessed to handling the gun and accidentally firing it. Caroline’s death was ruled an accident and no charges were filed against the boy; the child’s parent had initially denied any guns were in the home but the weapon was recovered during the investigation.

The case devastated Caroline’s family and community and underscored the risks of children’s access to firearms. If anyone knew the family or was in the neighborhood that day and can add details, please share what you remember.