Man charged with murder after New Year's Day shooting leaves one dead, three hospitalized
Dallas, TX - What We Know: A man has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting four people, killing one, during an argument in Dallas on New Year’s Day, according to police.
Kevin Violante-Varela, 30, is charged with murder after police said he shot Destenie Mendez in the head when she tried to intervene during an argument with a group of people drinking and playing loud music in a parking lot.
Authorities responded to a shooting call at an apartment complex in the 2900 block of St. George Drive in Red Bird just after 2:30 p.m.
First responders found one person dead at the scene. Three others suffered gunshot wounds and were transported to a local hospital, where they remain in stable condition.
An affidavit states Violante-Varela and Mendez have been together for 10 years and have two children together.
Police said Mendez was the property manager of the apartment complex and was responding to a complaint of people in the parking lot drinking and playing loud music. Violante-Varela was with her in the vehicle, the affidavit states.
The affidavit states Mendez approached the group to ask them to leave and they refused. That's when witnesses said Violante-Varela got out of the vehicle with a gun and started shooting.
When Mendez tried to stop him from shooting, the affidavit states, she was shot in the head by Violante-Varela.
Violante-Varela was arrested and charged with murder. He is being held in the Dallas County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
The incident remains under investigation.
What We Don’t Know: The current condition of the three men who were injured is not known at this time.