Indiana Woman’s Husband Mourns After She’s Fatally Shot at Wrong House
The tragic loss of 32-year-old Maria Florinda Rios Perez, an immigrant mother of four, has left her family devastated. Maria was shot and killed in Indiana after mistakenly arriving at the wrong house while working as a house cleaner. Her husband, Mauricio Velásquez, expressed the pain of losing his wife and emphasized the need for justice.
Incident Overview
The fatal shooting occurred on Wednesday morning when Maria and her husband arrived at what they thought was their work destination. Instead, they knocked on the door of a home in the Heritage subdivision, leading to a deadly confrontation.
According to initial police reports, authorities responded to a 911 call about a possible residential entry. Upon arrival, officers discovered Maria with a gunshot wound and attempted lifesaving measures, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Community and Family Reactions
Maria left behind four children, the oldest being 17 years old and the youngest only 11 months. Mauricio recounted his sorrow, stating, “Seeing my wife in my arms, already lifeless, I felt like they tore everything from me.” He urged for the shooter to be held accountable for their actions.
- Maria Florinda Rios Perez, 32, mother of four
- Oldest child: 17 years old
- Youngest child: 11 months old
Family members have described Maria as loving and dedicated. Her cousin, Wilmer Alvarez, criticized the shooter’s actions, arguing there were alternatives to lethal force. “The only thing the family is demanding is justice for that coward,” Alvarez stated emotionally.
Legal Proceedings
The Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department has submitted the case to the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for further review. The Boone County Coroner’s Office ruled Maria’s death as a homicide. However, this classification does not imply any legal culpability at this stage.
According to Indiana’s “stand your ground” laws, individuals may employ reasonable force to defend their homes. Prosecutor Kent Eastwood has pledged to carefully evaluate the circumstances of the incident to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
Concluding Remarks
As the investigation unfolds, Mauricio remains firm in his commitment to care for their children, stating, “I’m going to fight for them.” The community stands in mourning, demanding justice for a mother tragically taken too soon.
