Shooting death in Homestead was an accident, coroner confirms

Medical examiners yesterday confirmed law enforcement’s theory that a man who was shot to death in Homestead nearly two months ago was killed by accident. 

Jacob N. Begaye, 31, accidentally shot and killed himself during a visit to a family member’s home on the 20600 block of North Wilford Avenue just after 9 a.m. June 29. 

Maricopa Police Department found Begaye with a single gunshot wound to his chest, according to MPD spokesperson Monica Williams, who that day said police believed Begaye “was cleaning or assembling his firearm and it accidentally discharged.”  

He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.  

Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office yesterday confirmed Begay’s death was accidental, and not a homicide nor a suicide.  

Family visit gone wrong 

Begaye was visiting his family when the shooting happened, Williams said. 

A preliminary search of public records shows Begaye, who is from Tuba City, lived in Tempe at the time of his death.  

The owner of the Wilford Avenue home that became an active police scene in late June is a 49-year-old immediate relative of Begaye, according to the Pinal County Assessor’s Office.