Christian John Taylor Petillo was 15 when he died after being struck by a gunshot to the chest during a sleepover at a friend’s house in Gilbert, Arizona. The shooting occurred on the evening of September 5, 2021, when an unsecured firearm retrieved from inside the home discharged; emergency services transported him to a Level One Trauma Center, but he did not survive.

Reports describe the shooting as accidental. Christian was remembered as a vibrant, energetic athlete who loved the Los Angeles Dodgers. His family has since advocated for a secure-storage law, known as Christian’s Law, aiming to require gun owners to keep firearms out of the reach of children and teenagers.

No arrests or suspect identifications have been reported in connection with the shooting. If anyone attended that gathering or has information about how the firearm was accessed, please share what is known.