A Kansas father is now facing serious prison time after a heartbreaking incident involving his young children left one child dead and another at the center of a case that has deeply shaken the Wichita community. Michael Tejeda recently pleaded guilty in connection to a devastating shooting that unfolded inside his South Santa Fe Street home, and the community continues to grapple with the tragic aftermath.
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Plea Deal Filed In Deadly Child Shooting Case
According to Sedgwick County court records, Tejeda pleaded guilty last week to one count of second-degree murder, one count of criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and two counts of aggravated child endangerment in connection to the Feb. 28, 2025 shooting. As part of the agreement, prosecutors dropped a more severe first-degree murder charge tied to the commission of a felony. Authorities say the fatal shooting happened after Tejeda left a handgun within reach of his 3-year-old daughter, who then shot her 1-year-old sister.
Father Calls 911 After Fatal Shooting Incident
Court documents and an arrest affidavit obtained by local outlet KAKE detail that Tejeda himself called 911 to report the shooting. During the call, he told dispatchers that his older daughter had shot her younger sibling and can even be heard asking the 3-year-old why she did it. Investigators say Tejeda admitted he had fallen asleep while watching the children while their mother was out and later realized he had left his handgun in a prop holster on his waistband before placing it on a fireplace mantel.
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Father Admits Mistake As Fatal Shooting Leads To Sentencing Date
Tejeda told police he believed the firearm was secure enough but later acknowledged, “I knew better, should’ve put it somewhere else,” according to the affidavit. He also described hearing a loud bang while in another room, after which the 3-year-old reportedly ran crying and later told him it was his gun. Officials found the child with a gunshot wound to the head and a firearm lying beside her on the couch, according to reports. Tejeda is scheduled to be sentenced on July 9 and faces the possibility of significant prison time as prosecutors and defense attorneys jointly recommend a midrange sentence to run consecutively.
