A 27-year-old man who tried to tell cops in Texas that his wife had accidentally shot herself was arrested after their daughter, aged three, told them: “Dad shot Mom”.
Dabreon Banks is accused of shooting Kimberly Hernandez, 24, his common-law wife, in Harris County in the US state of Texas on 22nd November.
However, the suspect allegedly claimed that his partner killed herself during a row.
The woman’s death reportedly took place in front of the couple’s three-year-old daughter and toddler son, just 20 months old.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) said on social media on 23rd November: “HCSO Homicide Investigators have charged Dabreon Banks (27) with the shooting death of his common-law wife (24).
“Last night, at about 10.56pm, deputies responded to a shooting at an apartment complex located at 6200 E. Sam Houston Pkwy N, near Wallisville Rd.
“The victim was found deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. Banks initially told investigators the victim shot herself during an argument.
Banks appeared in court on the morning of 24th November after HCSO officers found the victim dead at around 11pm on Monday.
The police said that Banks claimed the gun fired when they were both “play fighting”.
However, he later reportedly told investigators that they were arguing because of some text messages the victim found on Banks’ phone. The police suspect the row led to a physical altercation and subsequently the shooting.
The victim’s father, name not disclosed, said on Wednesday: “She would always laugh, always happy.
“She was just here on Monday. She was playing with the kids. They called us in the middle of the night to tell us she was dead.
“She was having problems with him, but she would always go back to him.”
During the court hearing, prosecutors said the suspect shot his partner in the head in front of their young daughter, who was able to describe the incident to the police.
Prosecutors are quoted as saying: “Officers spoke with a juvenile eyewitness who told officers that ‘Dad shot Mom’. She gestured with her hand as a pistol. Officers spoke to another witness who stated that that same child told her (the same account).”
The police said they attended a domestic violence incident at the flat last month, but the case was dropped due to the complainant’s unwillingness to prosecute.
The two young children are currently being cared for by their grandparents as the investigation continues.
Ed Gonzalez said: “The couple’s 3-yr-old daughter and 20-month-old son were in the apartment when the shooting occurred. The children were not injured and have been released to family members.”
The suspect is being held on a bond of USD 75,000 and is set to appear in court again next week.
