John Jefferson
Background: The street where Casas was allegedly killed by vandals (KRIV). Inset top: Judith Molina, wife of Osvaldo Casas (KRIV). Inset bottom: Osvaldo Casas (GoFundMe).
A pregnant woman in Texas says she tried to save her husband’s life after he was shot by vandals who allegedly targeted the family’s car.
Osvaldo Casas, 37, was killed Saturday, Aug. 10, when he confronted the vandalism suspects in their car, according to Houston Fox affiliate KRIV.
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A news release from the Houston Police Department confirmed that a fatal shooting took place at around 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 on Loper Street, but did not confirm that Casas was the victim of the attack.
“It is believed the male confronted a suspicious person(s) on his street prior to being shot,” the police statement said. The statement did not confirm Casas as the victim “pending verification by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.”
The police said that patrol officers arrived at the scene and “found an unresponsive male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.”
“Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced him deceased,” the statement added.
Indeed, Casas’ wife, Judith Molina, told KRIV that she performed lifesaving measures on her husband, who is also the father of two girls, ages 16 and 8.
“I did it for maybe like 10 minutes until the police arrived, and they took over, but by that time I already knew he was gone,” Molina said, breaking down in tears. “I knew he was gone.”
Security footage obtained by Houston CBS affiliate KHOU appears to show Casas running down the street moments before gunshots are heard. Casas is then allegedly seen running slowly toward his home before collapsing in his wife’s arms.
“She tried to give him CPR, and he died in her hands,” Aguirre told KHOU.
According to Molina, Casas couldn’t wait for his son to be born.
“He was so excited about our baby boy, due any day now,” Molina told KRIV.
A GoFundMe has been set up to support Casas’ family.
“Osvaldo was a man of deep love and kindness,” the fundraising page says. “He was loved by so many in our community and never hesitated to lend a helping hand. He had a special passion for the Dallas Cowboys and was excited to watch the first game of the season this Sunday.
The plea notes that Casas’ son is due Sept. 9.
According to Houston police, the investigation into the slaying is ongoing but leads so far have been slim.
“At this time, there is no known suspect description,” the statement says.
Casas’ family, however, might have an idea: According to KHOU, family members days earlier had reported someone threw eggs and flour at their car and that a black vehicle was seen in the area. The night of Casas’ death, neighbors reportedly said they saw the same vehicle — a black truck or SUV — driving slowly through the neighborhood.
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