Sarasota Woman, 20, Shot At Dinner Table Dies

SARASOTA, FL — A 19-year-old Sarasota man faces manslaughter charges after his handgun allegedly went off while his family was eating Sunday dinner. Police say the shot led to the death of Leticia Cortez, 20, the man’s sister.

The incident that led to Daniel Cortez-Reyez’s arrest unfolded in the afternoon hours of July 30. Police say the family was sitting around the kitchen table, eating dinner in their home in the 2000 block of Arlington Street.

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Daniel Cortez-Reyez “pulled out a semi-automatic handgun,” an email from the police department said. He told officers “he pulled the magazine out of the firearm, inserted the magazine and the firearm discharged.”

Letica Cortez was struck by a single bullet, the email noted.

An investigation into the shooting began when police were called to Sarasota Memorial Hospital around 4:45 p.m. July 30. The shooting, the agency said, is believed to have been accidental.

Letica Cortez died at the hospital, police said.

Cortez-Reyez was booked into the Sarasota County Jail following his arrest on manslaughter charges. He was being held Monday afternoon without bond.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department