Karyn Maria Gonzalez was 4 when she died from a gunshot wound inside her mother’s Tempe apartment on the evening of Sunday, May 16, 2021. Officers responded at 8:45 p.m.; Karyn was pronounced dead at the scene. Family remembered her as a bright, polite little girl who loved singing, dancing, and was about to celebrate preschool graduation.

Preliminary findings described the shooting as an apparent accident after Karyn reportedly found an unsecured handgun hidden under a piece of furniture. The firearm belonged to an adult sibling who believed it was hidden. Her father, Robert Gonzalez Jr., called the death negligent and urged that adults be held responsible for firearm safety. The Tempe Police Department urged gun owners to keep firearms locked and out of children’s reach. Initial reports said no arrests had been made while the investigation continued.

If anyone knew Karyn or has information about circumstances in that apartment that evening, please share what you can.