A tragic incident unfolded in Tampa early Wednesday morning, as authorities from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office report that a man lost his life when his girlfriend fatally shot him. The devastating turn of events then took an even more heartbreaking turn when the woman fled to Alabama and took her own life.
Deputies rushed to a residence on Shellgrove Court in response to a distressed call from a concerned family member, just before 7 a.m.
Upon entering the residence, law enforcement discovered the lifeless body of Kelbys Avila, a 50-year-old individual who had succumbed to a gunshot injury.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) discovered that Avila’s girlfriend, Maira Pacheco Nuñez, 58, was responsible for shooting him before she fled the scene. Subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for Pacheco Nuñez on charges of second-degree murder with a firearm.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office in Alabama swiftly located and intercepted the vehicle of the 58-year-old shortly after the arrest warrant was issued, as stated by HCSO.
According to police, Pacheco Nuñez then took her own life with the gun.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed deep sorrow and sympathy for the family of the man whose life was tragically taken. He emphasized that violence should never be a solution and urged anyone experiencing or suspecting domestic violence to remember that help is available and that they are not alone.
WKRG, a Nexstar affiliate, was present at the scene as Pacheco Nuñez was pulled over on Interstate 10. The video captures a significant police presence surrounding her vehicle, leading to the closure of the highway for multiple hours.
The HCSO has not disclosed their understanding of the events leading up to the shooting.
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