PHOENIX, AZ – A 29-year-old woman faces multiple felony charges after authorities say she fired a rifle into a Phoenix apartment complex, striking a 4-year-old boy in the face. The incident unfolded shortly after noon on January 6 in a residential area near 29th Street and Weir Avenue.

According to court documents, Joanna Chalup Cortez has been booked on two counts of aggravated assault, as well as charges of disorderly conduct with a firearm and discharging a weapon at a residence. She remains in custody at Maricopa County Jail with bond set at $500,000.

Investigators allege the shooting stemmed from a heated dispute involving Chalup Cortez, a group of women, and her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend. The argument reportedly began earlier in the day and escalated as the group gathered at an apartment where the ex-boyfriend’s brother lived with his girlfriend and their young son, Qahsiem Sinclair.

Authorities report that, following the argument, the situation took a violent turn after the men involved began broadcasting on social media. Police say this angered Chalup Cortez, prompting her to return to the apartment complex. She is accused of honking her car horn and demanding people come outside before sending threatening messages to Qahsiem’s mother, warning she would “shoot up the house.”

Surveillance footage reviewed by law enforcement shows Chalup Cortez getting out of her vehicle and shouting before discharging a rifle toward the residence, according to police. The single bullet flew through the area where Qahsiem was standing with his scooter, striking the child in the cheek and damaging several teeth before exiting his mouth.

Emergency responders transported Qahsiem to a local hospital, where he received treatment for what doctors described as non-life-threatening injuries. His family described the harrowing scene and expressed relief at his prognosis, though they noted the emotional trauma he continues to experience.

Following the shooting, Chalup Cortez fled the area but later turned herself in to law enforcement. In what appears to be a social media post shared by the boy’s family, Cortez wrote that she did not intend to harm a child and claimed she was unaware that Qahsiem was outside at the time she fired the rifle. Additional messages reportedly sent to the boy’s mother repeated her insistence that the act was not intentional.

Despite these claims, Qahsiem’s father remains adamant that Chalup Cortez should be held accountable for her actions. He recounted how the young boy stepped outside with his scooter just as Chalup Cortez opened fire, asserting that the shooter saw his son and still proceeded.

The family has since launched an online fundraiser to help cover medical bills stemming from the incident, describing the ordeal as devastating and asking for community support.

Police continue to review evidence and statements as the investigation moves forward. Cortez is expected to appear in court in the coming days to answer the charges related to the shooting. The child is now recovering at home with his family, who say they are grateful for his survival but remain shaken by the violent confrontation.