Victims shot, killed in McGregor identified; alleged gunman charged
McGREGOR, Texas (KWTX) - A criminal complaint obtained by KWTX identified the suspect in a shooting that left five people dead in McGregor on Thursday as Nicolas Jaimes-Hernandez, 35.
The suspect is not yet charged in the murders, but is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by intentionally or knowingly threatening another with imminent bodily injury by discharging a firearm at another person.
The murders happened shortly after 7:30 a.m. at a residence in the 900 block of Monroe. A law enforcement official told KWTX the suspect shot and killed his wife and her two children dead. A Go Fund Me account first identified the victims as Monica Delgado Aviles, 38, and two of her children: 15-year-old Miguel Avila and 14-year-old Natalie Avila.
“(Monica) was a stay-at-home mom. Dedicated 100 percent to her five kids. The most loving and caring person you can meet,” said Esme Ortuno, a relative. “I always admired her and she was an amazing mom. She did not deserve this. The kids didn’t deserve this.”
Delgado leaves behind three children, 8-year-old Jesus, 6-year-old Julissa, and 4-year-old Nicolas.
There were also two additional victims from a home nearby found dead once authorities arrived at the scene. One woman’s body was found by the street while the other woman was found dead inside the nearby home.
A GoFundMe account identified those victims as Lori Aviles, 47, and Natalie Aviles, 20.
The Texas Department of Public Safety officially confirmed the names from the Go Fund Me accounts.
The criminal complaint reveals authorities were alerted by the victim of a drive-by shooting near the scene of the murders.
The neighbor said he witnessed Jaimes-Hernandez pull up to his home in the 800 block of Monroe in a gray Chevrolet pickup. The suspect allegedly fired several rounds at the neighbor from inside the pickup. The neighbor was not wounded and immediately called police to report the drive-by shooting.
Later, the shooter was reportedly shot by McGregor police and taken to the hospital.
McGregor ISD immediately notified parents and staff about the incident and briefly locked down its campuses. “Rumors abound about what appears to be a horrific tragedy in our community,” McGregor ISD Superintendent James Lenamon said in a message to his community at the time. “There was a domestic disturbance that resulted in a shooting in McGregor this morning.”
Lenamon said the grief counselors will remain at district campuses as needed. “Rest assured, the mental and physical well-being of every student and staff member is our top priority. We will be here today, and in the days to come, to meet the needs our your children.”
The McGregor community gathered Thursday evening at Bethlehem Christian Church to hold a prayer vigil for the victims. Dozens turned out to pray and share some of their memories of the victims.
“This terrible and senseless act of violence has devastated our town. While the families are being notified of the details, we ask that you keep them, the officers, and the community of McGregor in your thoughts and prayers,” said McGregor Mayor Jimmy Hering.
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