Oklahoma City — A 2-year-old girl was fatally shot inside a northwest Oklahoma City apartment on March 22, and a 23-year-old man is now facing a second-degree manslaughter charge in connection with her death, police say. Family members and public records identify the child as Kehlani Joy Rodriguez. She was rushed to a hospital after the shooting and later died. Authorities say Jesus Antonio Lopez was handling a handgun in a living room where several children were present when it fired.
What happened
Police say officers were called to an apartment in the 2400 block of NW 39th Street shortly after 10:30 a.m. on March 22 and found the child with a gunshot wound. She was transported to a nearby hospital and later died.
Neighbors told reporters the scene quickly turned frantic as people tried to save the toddler's life. One neighbor performed CPR on Kehlani until first responders arrived, according to KFOR News.
Police account and charges
Investigators identified 23-year-old Jesus Antonio Lopez as the person handling the pistol when it discharged and interviewed him at the scene. According to what investigators later told reporters, Lopez said he removed the magazine, pulled back the slide and squeezed the trigger while a child ran past.
Prosecutors have charged Lopez with second-degree manslaughter, according to local reporting by KOCO 5 News.
Case status and bond
Police booked Lopez into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on the manslaughter complaint. Local coverage reports he was later released on a $25,000 bond.
Free Press OKC reported that Kehlani's death will be recorded among the city's 2026 homicides and that investigators are still interviewing witnesses and processing evidence. Authorities continue to ask for tips as the investigation moves forward.
What the charge means
Under Oklahoma law, second-degree manslaughter is a felony that can carry a sentence of up to four years in prison, depending on how a judge or jury rules at sentencing. The law defines second-degree manslaughter as a death caused by culpable negligence rather than an intentional killing.
The statutory language is available for reference via Justia.
How to help
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Oklahoma City Police Department's homicide tip line at (405) 297-1200, according to the city's criminal investigations page.
Family members have set up a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs for Kehlani, according to the campaign page on GoFundMe.
