A Houston man has been arrested and charged with shooting two family members, authorities said. The incident, which escalated due to the suspect's allegations of witchcraft against the victims, took place at an apartment complex on Fallbrook Drive. The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported that units responded to the shooting, where they found two people critically injured and detained the alleged shooter on site.
The accused, identified as Wilman Sandoval, born September 10, 2000, faces three counts of aggravated assault following the event. Injured in the altercation were Sandoval's 17-year-old brother and 26-year-old fiancée, both of whom were transported to a hospital in critical condition, the Sheriff's Office stated via X. However, an update provided later indicated that both victims have since been stabilized and are expected to make a recovery.
@HCSOTexas units responded to a shooting at an apt complex, 7610 Fallbrook. An adult male allegedly shot two adult family members. Both wounded persons have been transported in critical condition. The alleged shooter is detained. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/KWpXWEGBH8
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) January 14, 2024
The unusual motive behind the attack adds a bizarre twist to the already violent crime. Sandoval allegedly accused the two victims of practicing witchcraft against him, leading to the tragic confrontation. The details of these accusations, and how they may have influenced the suspect's mental state or the events leading up to the shooting, remain unclear.
Local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting as Sandoval remains in custody. The case, which drew immediate attention due to the grave nature of the allegations and the critical condition of the victims, now enters a phase of legal proceedings with the accused facing serious charges. Community members and neighbors were left shocked by the violence, and the claim of witchcraft as a precipitating factor only deepened the community's unease about the situation.
