At a Glance
- Joanna Chalup Cortez, 29, allegedly fired a rifle toward a south Phoenix home on January 6, striking 4-year-old Qahsiem Sinclair in the face
- The shooting followed an argument over a livestream and a breakup with the child’s uncle
- The boy survived but lost multiple teeth; the family says he is now stable
- Why it matters: The incident highlights how domestic disputes can escalate into violence that endangers children
A single rifle shot fired during a breakup dispute left a 4-year-old boy hospitalized with facial wounds and a 29-year-old woman facing multiple felony charges, according to Phoenix police and court documents cited by local outlets.
The Shooting
The incident unfolded shortly after 12:19 p.m. on January 6, when officers responded to a report of gunfire at a residence in south Phoenix. Inside the home they found Qahsiem Sinclair bleeding from a gunshot wound that had entered the left side of his face, exited through his cheek and knocked out several teeth, family members told ABC 15.
Police quickly identified the suspected shooter as Joanna Chalup Cortez, who had been dating the child’s uncle and had been at the home earlier that morning before returning angry less than two hours later.
What Sparked the Violence
Court records outlined a rapid chain of events:
- Chalup Cortez argued with another woman described as her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend
- She evicted her boyfriend from her own house after the quarrel
- While away, she saw a social-media livestream featuring the boyfriend and Qahsiem’s father, Meishaq Sinclair
- Enraged, she texted threats to “shoot up the house,” drove back and began honking for someone to come outside
Meishaq told AZ Family he watched Chalup Cortez retrieve what looked like a rifle from her car before a single shot rang out. The bullet traveled toward the front door where Qahsiem had followed his uncle, scooter in hand, thinking it was time to play outside.
Aftermath and Surrender
Upstairs when the shot was fired, Meishaq said he raced down to find his son “bleeding so much it was like a movie.” First responders transported the preschooler to a local hospital in serious condition.
Chalup Cortez left the scene but surrendered to police the next day. She now faces charges of aggravated assault, discharging a firearm at a residence and related counts, authorities confirmed. Investigators say they do not believe anyone else was involved.
Child’s Recovery
Relatives told AZ Family that Qahsiem is expected to survive. A GoFundMe page launched for medical bills describes him as “stable,” though it warns “the road to full healing physically, mentally and emotionally is just beginning.”
Meishaq provided an update to ABC 15: “He’s playing with his toys right now, still in shock … still traumatized a little bit.” Had the bullet traveled inches in another direction, the father added, “he would not be here by now.”
The investigation remains open while the boy continues what his family calls a long recovery.
