Gunshot Victim’s 911 Call Leads To Dispatcher Matthew Sanchez Saying ‘Deal With It Yourself,’ Jaydon Chavez-Silver Later Dies


A gunshot victim’s 911 call led to a dispatcher saying “deal with it yourself.”

According to the Albuquerque Journal, Jaydon Chavez-Silver, 17, was shot during a drive-by while he was hanging out with his friends in his kitchen on June 26. Esperanza Quintero, 17, immediately jumped up to help Chavez-Silver, giving him CPR as she dialed 911.

During the moment of shear panic, Quintero accidentally cursed at the dispatcher, identified as Matthew Sanchez, who then told her to “deal with it” herself and hung up.

“He is barely breathing. How many times do I have to (expletive) tell you?” Quintero said, after she was repeatedly asked if the victim was breathing during the 911 call.

“OK, you know what, ma’am? You can deal with it yourself. I’m not going to deal with this, OK,” Sanchez said as he hung up the phone.

“No! My friend is dying,” Quintero can be heard screaming as the call disconnected.

Below is the audio clip:

Prior to hanging up the phone, Sanchez dispatched an ambulance to the scene, which arrived approximately 4 minutes and 26 seconds later to help the gunshot victim, according to Melissa Romero, a spokeswoman for the Fire Department. Chavez-Silver was transported to an area hospital where he later died.

“I was frantic. I was scared,” Quintero explained, following the incident. “I’m only 17. I didn’t know how to handle the situation. I did the best I could. I tried to stay calm.”

The story was quickly picked up by national news outlets after the Albuquerque fire department released the audio of the frantic 911 call. AFD Chief David Downey said Sanchez was immediately reassigned to handle administrative duties after he heard about how he handled the situation, KOB 4 reports. However, Matthew later resigned from his position.

“After learning of the alleged misconduct, Driver Matthew Sanchez was immediately removed from the dispatch center and placed on administrative assignment. An internal investigation has been initiated. As the Chief of the department, I am taking the allegation very seriously.”

According to Downey, Sanchez had been a member of the fire department for 10 years, and started working at the emergency dispatch center about three and a half years ago.

Jaydon Chavez-Silver, 17, was watching friends play cards when a bullet struck http://t.co/cfcwNNB2Nm w/@PerezNicoleM pic.twitter.com/JtRiVoh8ee

Chavez-Silver’s mother Nicole Chavez later opened up to NBC News about the death of her son.

You know you have that child and it changes your life for the best, forever,” Chavez said, during an interview on Tuesday, July 28. “As a parent it is… it’s our worst nightmare.”

“He’s always been one of those that helped out anybody that needed it. I just pray that he didn’t feel alone, that he didn’t feel scared.

“It’s just heartbreaking, cause you’re actually there hearing the situation, and hearing your child take his last breaths and knowing he was there fighting for his life.”

Do you think the fire department should have fired the dispatcher after hanging up on the gunshot victim’s 911 call? Leave your comments below.

[Photo via Shutterstock]

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