A bizarre scenario unfolded in Texas Sunday afternoon as police believe a man shot his brother and fiance as he suspected they were practicing witchcraft on him.
Authorities took 23-year-old Wilman Sandoval into custody after the violent incident at a Harris County apartment complex. Law enforcement officers were called to the scene at about 4 p.m. on Sunday and found two victims suffering gunshot wounds when they arrived.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez reported to KHOU-TV that the victims were the 17-year-old brother of the suspected shooter and his 26-year-old fiance. The fiance was shot several times and was hospitalized in critical condition, while the brother was initially listed in serious condition.
Both fortunately have been upgraded to fair condition and are expected to survive.
Gonzalez said the teenage brother was attempting to get his fiance out of harm’s way when he was struck by gunfire. By all appearances, the fiance was the alleged shooter’s primary target, and she was apparently lucky to escape with her life.
Possible witchcraft leads to man shooting brother, fiancee in Texas https://t.co/hh9PWSc6WK
— 13WMAZ News (@13wmaznews) January 15, 2024
No one else was injured, though five family members reportedly lived in the apartment. A handgun was recovered from a family member at the scene, and police are working to determine if the suspect had a criminal record or a history of mental instability.
Investigators are currently canvassing the apartments looking for potential witnesses to the crime.
Sandoval is in custody facing three counts related to the alleged attack.
Witchcraft also played a central role in a recent Georgia criminal case. A Peach State man is alleged to have attacked women who came to him for his practice as a “witch doctor.”
Investigators believe 44-year-old Hassan Shalgheen threatened his “clients” with immigration enforcement if they went to authorities over his actions. So far, six alleged victims have come forward to accuse Shalgheen of attacking them.
One of the women told investigators that she was forced to pay the suspect $300 for a ritual “cleansing.” She also reported being accosted while seeking his “services.”
Shalgheen is an Arabic and Spanish speaker and is being held in the Gwinnett County Jail without bail.
