Shane Perez, 46, fatally shot his longtime partner Angelica Aguirre, 30, before killing himself Saturday morning while their five young children remained inside their Las Cruces home.
Las Cruces police officers discovered both bodies after responding to the family’s residence around 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Authorities quickly determined the incident was a murder-suicide, with Perez shooting Aguirre before turning the gun on himself.
The couple’s five children, ranging in age from 3 to 14, were all present in the home during the shooting. None of the children suffered physical injuries in the violence that unfolded around them.
Aguirre’s social media presence painted a starkly different picture of the family than the scene police encountered. She regularly posted photographs of family outings and affectionate messages about Perez to her Facebook account.
Last November, Aguirre reposted a message on Facebook thanking Perez for “all that you do for the family.” The public tribute to her partner came months before he would end both of their lives in front of their children.
Authorities have not disclosed any potential motive for the murder-suicide. The investigation into what precipitated the violence remains ongoing as the five children left behind face life without either parent.
The contrast between Aguirre’s documented family life and the fatal violence has drawn attention to the often-hidden nature of domestic turmoil. Her online feed showed no public indication of the danger that would culminate in Saturday’s shooting.
The Las Cruces Police Department has not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the deaths. The children’s current placement and whether extended family members have stepped forward to care for them have not been disclosed.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.