Missing Junior Olympic champion, 15, returns home only to shoot himself dead moments later… with stepdad critically injured after trying to save him

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Missing Junior Olympic champion, 15, returns home only to shoot himself dead moments later… with stepdad critically injured after trying to save him

Daily Mail · 26 minutes ago

Jesse Balderrama, a 15-year-old two-time Junior Olympic champion boxer, was reported missing in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday midnight and found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his home by 5pm the same day. His stepfather sustained life-threatening injuries whilst attempting to prevent the tragedy by disarming the teenager. The incident highlights the mental health struggles faced by the promising young athlete, who had previously attempted overdose and had been experiencing emotional difficulties despite appearing upbeat recently.

Balderrama was discovered at his family's $150,000 home in San Antonio, where his stepfather accidentally shot himself whilst trying to move the gun away from the teenager. Police reported that several other people were present in the house at the time but not in the room where the shooting occurred. The boxing community has rallied around the family, with his gym, Top Dog Boxing, launching a GoFundMe fundraiser and releasing tributes, whilst the San Antonio Amateur Boxing Association recognised Balderrama's achievements and potential.

  • Fifteen-year-old Junior Olympic boxer dies by suicide in San Antonio
  • Stepfather critically injured attempting to intervene and disarm teenager
  • Young athlete had documented mental health struggles and prior overdose attempt

World

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