The Associated Press
MERCEDES, Texas — An unemployed truck driver accused of fatally stabbing his wife before being shot by police may not have died from an officer’s bullet, authorities said Monday.
Trinidad Hernandez, 49, was shot once by a Mercedes police officer Sunday after allegedly refusing to put down the knife police say he used to kill Adela Hernandez, 51, in their South Texas home.
Mercedes police Chief Olga Maldonado said the husband had sustained other injuries before the shooting, but she would not elaborate. Autopsy reports are expected later this week.
“We’re holding off releasing any information until we know what caused the death,” Maldonado said for Tuesday’s editions of The Monitor in McAllen.
Mercedes police have not identified the officer, who has been placed on administrative leave.
The Hernandezes’ 18-year-old daughter had called police to report a domestic disturbance, authorities said. Police have not said what led to the alleged attack in the home.
Roy Herrera Jr., whose father rented the home to the couple, said he was concerned about the teenage girl.
“I just feel really bad for her,” Herrera said. “It’s about to be Christmas and now both of her parents are dead.”