WESLACO, Texas – Hidalgo County Sheriff deputies said they responded to a burglary call early Saturday morning on 25th street in Weslaco where the homeowner reported that she had shot a suspect.
When deputies arrived on scene the woman said the victim was arguing with her boyfriend when, out of fear for her life, she fired a shotgun at the victim.
A man who was with the victim rushed him to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, where he later died.
The victim was later identified as 24-year-old Eduardo Mendoza from Weslaco, and the shooter was identified as Emma Gracia.
After questioning the boyfriend and the other man with the victim at the time of the incident, the deputies said it became clear that the victim posed no threat and the argument was over drugs.
Deputies said that at the time the victim was shot, he was outside of the property with his hands in the air.
Authorities added that after speaking with a neighbor, the neighbor claimed that Emma Gracia shot at another neighbor about a month ago. However, no police report was made.
Gracia has been formally arraigned and charged with murder, and her bond was set to $1 million.
The man who was with the victim was charged with trespassing, a class B misdemeanor.
Deputies say that this is an active investigation and they are asking the public to contact the sheriff’s office with any information, you can choose to remain anonymous.
