HOUSTON, TX – A man in Texas allegedly resorted to violence as he believed two of his family members were performing witchcraft on him. According to police reports, 23-year-old Wilman Sandoval shot his relatives, leading to his arrest.
Sandoval, appearing to slightly grin in his post-arrest mugshot, was apprehended on Sunday at a housing complex in Houston. Multiple charges relating to the event were pressed against him.
Court records provide a glimpse into the incident’s timeline, revealing that Sandoval mysteriously stood from his couch and fired a black handgun aimed at the kitchen, where a relative was cooking. The relative was reportedly hit six times.
When a second family member attempted to tend the injured relative, Sandoval is accused of again firing the weapon, this time striking the second relative once in the head.
A third family member, present during the incident, reported seeing Sandoval pointing the gun directly at them, though they were not shot, as detailed in court documents.
At a press conference from the scene, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed that Sandoval allegedly suspected his family members were bewitching him, which seemingly upset him.
Sheriff Gonzalez also shared an update on the condition of the victims, a male and a female, stating they were expected to recover despite their “fair condition” on Sunday night.
Concerning Sandoval’s mental health history, no clear information was available. However, it was noted that the incident was unexpected for the family.
Police confirmed that the firearm used in the shooting was recovered from the scene. Connections between Sandoval and the victims remain unclear, with conflicting reports and no immediate source of clarification from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Court records indicate that Sandoval is facing three felony counts of aggravated assault. He was earlier presented before a judge on Monday, who set his bail at $250,000. Sandoval’s next court date is set for Friday.