Cleaning crew member shot and killed on porch after arriving at the wrong house

[Dotta]

lol I too did the same thing except no one was in the vehicle just me wondering why “my” car didn’t start. I’ll be honest I was a little bit tipsy

Well
I was sober hehehe
So I cannot excuse myself

The point is
such things happen more often than we realize.

JMO

 

[katydid23]

Even if they entered the home (let's pretend a door was unlocked), they wouldn't have looked threatening. They'd be carrying cleaning supplies, probably chatting with each other, and responded appropriately as soon as they saw the scared homeowner. I can't see shooting them being an acceptable response. Is that the world we want to accept? Say nothing, just shoot to kill first, ask questions later? That's not a scenario I personally will accept.

I think it all depends upon what the homeowner saw at first. If I was home alone, and two people were trying to open my locked front door, and succeeded in doing so, I'd be terrified, because there have been SEVERAL home invasions in my neighbourhood in Los Angeles in past several months. I'd have my gun ready if I heard people on my porch, trying to unlock my door.

And I don't think I'd call out to them because I'm an old lady---I wouldn't want them to know I am an old lady, home alone.

So the last thing I'd be thinking is that it was a nice couple looking to clean a house. Because of the recent news headlines, I'd be thinking it was a gang of intruders.

Hopefully I'd see them carrying cleaning supplies and talking nicely to each other----but maybe they'd be carrying bags and acting nervous themselves? I think it would be easy for a miscommunication to happen.


Below are very recent news headlines from my neighbourhood and there were 90 more home invasions in past few months! Some homeowners were killed.

Naked intruder shot and killed by armed veteran outside Studio City house

A 79-year-old military veteran armed with a gun shot and killed a naked intruder early Friday morning during an attempted burglary in a Studio City neighborhood, police told NBC4 Investigates. The deadly altercation unfolded near Tujunga Avenue and Sarah Street, where police responded at about 7...

www.nbclosangeles.com

LAPD investigating home invasion involving up to 7 masked burglars in Woodland Hills

An investigation is underway following a home invasion that involved multiple suspects in Woodland Hills and subsequent arrests in North Hollywood.

abc7.com

 

[IceIce9]

Even if they entered the home (let's pretend a door was unlocked), they wouldn't have looked threatening. They'd be carrying cleaning supplies, probably chatting with each other, and responded appropriately as soon as they saw the scared homeowner. I can't see shooting them being an acceptable response. Is that the world we want to accept? Say nothing, just shoot to kill first, ask questions later? That's not a scenario I personally will accept.

And it should not be a case that Indiana’s Stand Your Ground law will cover.

 

[inmyhumbleopinion]

I believe that's the case. But still, it's not an excuse to kill someone.

They very likely had keys to another client's home.

I'm sure this happens fairly frequently. I have a white Subaru. One time, I couldn't get my car door with the fob. So, I tried using the key and it still didn't work. I had my husband on the phone and I'm trying to unlock the door with the key and thinking we should call a locksmith or something. Someone came up to me and said, "What are you doing to my car?". I go, "Oops. Wrong car". My vehicle was in another row. It was embarrassing, but no harm done.

I’ve done this with my blue Honda.

 

[Leve]

I don't think it's right to shoot through a door. But, it's not like they put the keys in jiggled the doorknob and were shot. The husband tried the keys, couldn't get the door open, then the victim took the keys from him and tried. Were they pushing on the door? Sometimes that helps if the lock is stuck. The shooter had time to call 911 and arm themselves before shooting.

I can imagine someone, especially an older person or a rape/violent crime survivor, bring terrified by people trying to get in their home. Messing with the doorknob ECT.

This wasn't someone randomly knocking on a door or "just standing on the porch". It was someone actively trying to get in.

Still, unless there are extenuating circumstances, the shooter should have retreated further into the home and stayed on the line with 911 until help arrived.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Below are very recent news headlines from my neighbourhood and there were 90 more home invasions in past few months! Some homeowners were killed.

I am so sorry you have to worry about home invasions from violent criminals. (I really mean it.)
I will have to do some thinking on this topic, because I haven't walked in those shoes.

 

[tara83]

I am so sorry you have to worry about home invasions from violent criminals. (I really mean it.)
I will have to do some thinking on this topic, because I haven't walked in those shoes.

Nothing excuses shooting through a door to murder someone. JMO

 

[CuriousCricket]

I am so sorry you have to worry about home invasions from violent criminals. (I really mean it.)
I will have to do some thinking on this topic, because I haven't walked in those shoes.

This is one of those cases, isn't it? While we think we know what we would do, while we may have run scenarios in our head to have a plan in place, if we have never been in that position, how can we know how we would react?

When terror comes in and reason may leave, how do we know what each would do?

In addition, didn't the cleaners have some responsibility to think, this isn't working, maybe we need to go to the car to make a call? Say, "hey Mrs. Smith, we're here but we can't get in." Something to check?

Unfortunately, I fear that, like them, I would have kept trying without thinking I had the wrong house. Without any thought I was terrorizing someone inside. I do think though, eventually, it would occur to me it could be dangerous. By that time, it might be too late.

But multiple people, actively trying to get in? Trying to pick the lock as it may have seemed to the person inside. You're old, or not old, but alone, and more than one person trying to get your door open?

I THINK in the calm safety of today, I would wait in a room, hidden behind a chair or sofa with padding that is thicker than bullets penetrate (according to parafin tests) and wait for them to come into the room I'm in. Then "pick them off as they come through the door" - BTW wishful thinking from the last time I was at the range. I would have to hope a shot would scare them off.

That's the plan. Hide and wait. It's never been tested, and I hope it never is because I simply do not know how I would react. How can anyone who has not been there?

This is certainly a good case for discussion, though, as it makes us think -- both as the person inside a home and anyone trying to get into a home they think is open.

What about yelling, "I've called 9-1-1. Get away from the door or I'll shoot?" Or "Turn the knob again and I'll shoot"

On the other hand, when I can't think, those words probably would not come into my mind and I doubt I would be able to get words out. Sometimes, I can't.

What might have helped in this situation? Or a similar situation we might find ourselves in on either side.

 

[tara83]

This is one of those cases, isn't it? While we think we know what we would do, while we may have run scenarios in our head to have a plan in place, if we have never been in that position, how can we know how we would react?

When terror comes in and reason may leave, how do we know what each would do?

In addition, didn't the cleaners have some responsibility to think, this isn't working, maybe we need to go to the car to make a call? Say, "hey Mrs. Smith, we're here but we can't get in." Something to check?

Unfortunately, I fear that, like them, I would have kept trying without thinking I had the wrong house. Without any thought I was terrorizing someone inside. I do think though, eventually, it would occur to me it could be dangerous. By that time, it might be too late.

But multiple people, actively trying to get in? Trying to pick the lock as it may have seemed to the person inside. You're old, or not old, but alone, and more than one person trying to get your door open?

I THINK in the calm safety of today, I would wait in a room, hidden behind a chair or sofa with padding that is thicker than bullets penetrate (according to parafin tests) and wait for them to come into the room I'm in. Then "pick them off as they come through the door" - BTW wishful thinking from the last time I was at the range. I would have to hope a shot would scare them off.

That's the plan. Hide and wait. It's never been tested, and I hope it never is because I simply do not know how I would react. How can anyone who has not been there?

This is certainly a good case for discussion, though, as it makes us think -- both as the person inside a home and anyone trying to get into a home they think is open.

What about yelling, "I've called 9-1-1. Get away from the door or I'll shoot?" Or "Turn the knob again and I'll shoot"

On the other hand, when I can't think, those words probably would not come into my mind and I doubt I would be able to get words out. Sometimes, I can't.

What might have helped in this situation? Or a similar situation we might find ourselves in on either side.

Sorry but if someone if crazy enough to murder someone through a door they do not need to be owning a gun.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

Nothing excuses shooting through a door to murder someone. JMO

I agree 100%. Even in a city with a high rate of violent break-ins there would still be no excuse.

We were also discussing cases when someone accidentally but completely enters the home, though. But that's getting off topic.

This case appears to be a clear murder in my opinion. I look forward to seeing an arrest.

 

[IceIce9]

I agree 100%. Even in a city with a high rate of violent break-ins there would still be no excuse.

We were also discussing cases when someone accidentally but completely enters the home, though. But that's getting off topic.

This case appears to be a clear murder in my opinion. I look forward to seeing an arrest.

I am hoping to see justice for the family. The mother had a baby less than a year-old, and three other children, and of course her husband.

 

[Coppertop15]

I’ve done this with my blue Honda.

I actually did open up someone else's car--twice.

I now have a cat decal on my car to distinguish it.
Glad no one has shot me.

 

[mickey2942]

I asked my husband about this case, and he absolutely would have not have shot someone messing with the door, but the minute they got the door open, and stepped over the threshold, it would have been over.

Which brings up an interesting point, if they had walked into the home, if the door had been open, no issues. Same error, incorrect location. Step into the house...breaking and entering.

I can understand the terror someone would feel if they did feel threatened by someone "trying" to break into their home. Especially if they had an experience before. I really don't think that this merits prison.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Sorry but if someone if crazy enough to murder someone through a door they do not need to be owning a gun.

The news does indicate this is being considered a "homicide". It's early days yet. Wonder how that will hold up?

I disagree totally with the term "murder". Someone was killed. It genuinely is a tragedy. In my own guesstimation and state of residence, it might be manslaughter not murder. I am not a lawyer and realize the legal definitions vary from one state to another.

This mother's death is a tragedy and should never have happened, but this appears a complex situation to me personally.

Never having been terrorized, I have no idea how I would react in an actual incident. While I do have plans mentally in place would I remember them? Would you?

 

[Lisbeth_S]

A few thoughts:

- I would interpret someone trying to jiggle the keys in my door as an attempted burglary until proven otherwise, so makes sense to call 911
- I would also think that the homeowner could simply yell out asking who it is (and probably things would have been cleared then and there)
- even in the event that the door was opened, I would think that it would have looked obvious pretty quickly that the cleaners weren't threatening enough to warrant being shot (let alone through the door).

When we combine everybody owning firearms with people living in fear, this seems like a very unsurprising incident.

Sad all around.

 

[louvillian08]

This article from a local paper has additional information that I hadn't seen mentioned on this thread yet.

Notably: "Andersen called 911 at 6:49 a.m. Wednesday to report two Hispanic people trying to break in while he and his wife were in an upstairs bedroom." So the shooter could see who was at his front door, called the police, then decided to go downstairs and shoot through the door.

It also states that they were hired to clean a model home in a brand new community called Windswept farms. The model home was directly behind this house. Any search you do of the address or for Windswept Farms shows nothing in the area, just farmland. I definitely understand how they ended up at the wrong house.

 

[Dotta]

This article from a local paper has additional information that I hadn't seen mentioned on this thread yet.

Notably: "Andersen called 911 at 6:49 a.m. Wednesday to report two Hispanic people trying to break in while he and his wife were in an upstairs bedroom." So the shooter could see who was at his front door, called the police, then decided to go downstairs and shoot through the door.

It also states that they were hired to clean a model home in a brand new community called Windswept farms. The model home was directly behind this house. Any search you do of the address or for Windswept Farms shows nothing in the area, just farmland. I definitely understand how they ended up at the wrong house.

<modsnip>

Re the owners
They could have yelled from the window upstairs to go away and that Police were already called.

What a tragedy
RIP to the poor woman.
Sincerest Condolences to her Family.

This case is horrific

JMO

 

[sunspun]

The news does indicate this is being considered a "homicide". It's early days yet. Wonder how that will hold up?

I disagree totally with the term "murder". Someone was killed. It genuinely is a tragedy. In my own guesstimation and state of residence, it might be manslaughter not murder. I am not a lawyer and realize the legal definitions vary from one state to another.

This mother's death is a tragedy and should never have happened, but this appears a complex situation to me personally.

Never having been terrorized, I have no idea how I would react in an actual incident. While I do have plans mentally in place would I remember them? Would you?

You say it's being considered a homicide, so far.

But it is and always will be a homicide, unless it turns out that homeowner didn't shoot her after all. And even then, someone else would've had to have shot her, which would still be homicide. I suppose if it turns out she shot herself, it would not be homicide.

But I'm being ridiculous; no one doubts she died after being shot by that homeowner. The thing left to decide is whether it was in any way justified homicide. Or was it instead murder to any degree?

Even if they decide not to charge the shooter at all, it will still be a homicide.



definition of homicide~ Wikipedia:

Homicide is an act in which a person causes the death of another person. A homicide requires only a volitional act, or an omission, that causes the death of another, and thus a homicide may result from accidental, reckless, or negligent acts even if there is no intent to cause harm.

Homicide - Wikipedia​

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Homicide

 

[legalmomma]

https://fox59.com/news/boone-county-prosecutors-office-asks-for-patience-as-it-reviews-fatal-shooting-of-cleaning-lady-in-whitestown/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAN-Fy9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEenTAYV56xoeQZxtLBbeHhOQ5Ab4BueHQau60VZebpx3gQnj_oYIGpBpsM1w4_aem_qMLtw2N6KkVM29dktgAvZA

…
Eastwood said he will announce the decision by the end of this coming week or the beginning of the following week, once he has completed an “exhaustive review” of the evidence. Eastwood added that he has been in touch with the victim’s family and their legal representative during this process.

He cited rules 3.6 and 3.8 of the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct, which he said prohibit the prosecutor’s office from elaborating on specific details or possible outcomes.

“Indiana’s Stand Your Ground law and the unique circumstances of this case make a careful,
detailed review essential before determining what steps we may take next,” Eastwood said. “Our hearts remain with Mrs. Rios Perez de Velasquez’s loved ones. Justice requires patience, and we ask for the community’s understanding as we work diligently to reach the right decision
under Indiana law.”
———

https://twitter.com/x/status/1987679314226085938

As the Boone County prosecutor weighs evidence in the shooting death of Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez he just released a statement. The statement is below along with information on a “Gathering for Peace” tomorrow.

The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office has received the initial investigative report and evidence
from the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department concerning the fatal shooting of Maria
Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez.

We extend our gratitude to the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department for their
professionalism and thorough investigation.

Their work ensures that every piece of evidence is properly documented and preserved. This is a heartbreaking case for everyone involved.

As prosecutors, our responsibility is to review the facts and apply Indiana law impartially and fairly.

We will begin an exhaustive
review of all evidence immediately and will continue working closely with WMPD to ensure no
detail is overlooked.

We anticipate this review will take several days. Once complete, we will announce our decision on how we intend to proceed.

This is likely to occur by the end of this week or early next week.

We have been in regular contact with the Rios Perez de Velasquez family and their legal representative and will keep them informed throughout this process.

Indiana’s Stand Your Ground law and the unique circumstances of this case make a careful, detailed review essential before determining what steps we may take next.

Under the Indiana
Rules of Professional Conduct, particularly Rules 3.6 and 3.8, we cannot discuss specific
evidence or speculate on outcomes at this time. When we are legally permitted to share more, we
will do so.

Our hearts remain with Mrs. Rios Perez de Velasquez’s loved ones. Justice requires patience,
and we ask for the community’s understanding as we work diligently to reach the right decision
under Indiana law.

We do not anticipate further comment until a decision is reached, as our focus must remain on
this review.

 

[Friday Fan]

The news does indicate this is being considered a "homicide". It's early days yet. Wonder how that will hold up?

I disagree totally with the term "murder". Someone was killed. It genuinely is a tragedy. In my own guesstimation and state of residence, it might be manslaughter not murder. I am not a lawyer and realize the legal definitions vary from one state to another.

This mother's death is a tragedy and should never have happened, but this appears a complex situation to me personally.

Never having been terrorized, I have no idea how I would react in an actual incident. While I do have plans mentally in place would I remember them? Would you?

Homicide is not a criminal term.


For instance if someone dies via the death penalty by lethal injection, it's "homicide, drug induced" or something like that. However, it is a homicide. There is also accidental homicide. Also, when a toddler obtains a gun a shoots someone it's also a homicide.

As to whether they will indict this person, who knows? I think they should, unless there is something that we don't know about.