A 16-year-old girl in Texas rejected the romantic advances of a 17-year-old boy who was allegedly stalking her. The 17-year-old then shot and killed the girl's stepfather, according to prosecutors, leaving him to die in his pregnant wife's arms.
Cristian Gasca Martinez, 17, has been arrested and charged with the Aug. 10 murder of 37-year-old Osvaldo Casas. He was charged in Houston on Oct. 17, according to police Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Martinez allegedly stalked Casas' stepdaughter. Prosecutors argued in court that he shot and killed Casas in retaliation after the 16-year-old rejected his romantic interest. Casas was the father of three children.
“He was angry because my daughter didn't actually want to go out with him,” Judith Molina, the girl's mother, told ABC 13.
She also showed the broadcaster a log of dozens of anonymous calls to her home, most of which she believes came from Martinez.
Around noon the day he was shot, Casas was alerted by his neighbors that a dark vehicle was driving slowly past his home, police said. The day before, someone had vandalized Casas' car.
When Casas went to the car to confront the occupant, he was shot. He walked back to his house, but then collapsed.
Casas' pregnant wife tried to save him with CPR and called emergency services. They found Casas unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Blanca Aguirre, Casas' mother, told KHOU that he “died in her hands.”
The family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover costs following Casas' death.
“Osvaldo was a man of deep love and kindness,” his wife wrote. “He was loved by so many in our community and never hesitated to lend a helping hand.”
She also noted that their son was born on August 23, just 13 days after Casas' death.
Martinez was arrested and is being held in the Harris County Jail on $200,000 bond. His first court appearance was scheduled for Monday, October 21.
