A 15-year-old Junior Olympic boxing champion died by suicide at his home in San Antonio, Texas, authorities reported. Jesse Balderrama, known as 'Boogie,' was reported missing by his family late Sunday night.
By Sunday evening, Balderrama was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His stepfather, 38, sustained life-threatening injuries while attempting to save the teen and disarm him, according to a police report.
Emergency services responded to the home, where Balderrama was pronounced dead at the scene. His stepfather was transported to a hospital in critical condition. Several other individuals were present in the home at the time of the incident but were not in the immediate vicinity of the shooting.
Neighbors described the incident with distress. One neighbor, John Puente, reported seeing Balderrama's mother with blood on her arm immediately after the event. Puente also mentioned past concerns about the boy's mental health, referencing previous incidents where he believed Balderrama had attempted self-harm.
Balderrama was recognized for his achievements in boxing, having been a two-time Junior Olympic champion. His boxing gym, Top Dog Boxing, and the San Antonio Amateur Boxing Association shared tributes mourning his loss and offering support to his family. Top Dog Boxing has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist the family with financial burdens resulting from the tragedy.
For those experiencing suicidal thoughts or actions, the National Suicide Hotline can be reached at 988.