Crime
Miriam Valdez Charged with Manslaughter After Fatally Shooting Damian Bazan in rural Donna
DONNA, TX — A 21-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter following a fatal shooting in rural Donna, Texas, after she admitted to authorities that she shot her boyfriend with a firearm she believed was not loaded.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as 20-year-old Damian Bazan.
The suspect, Miriam Valdez, was formally charged on Monday, one day after the incident occurred.
Deputies responded to a residence in the 13000 block of Hermosa Vida Drive at approximately 3:08 p.m. on Sunday after receiving reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, investigators began interviewing several family members at the scene, who stated that Valdez had confessed to shooting Bazan.
According to the sheriff’s office, Valdez later admitted during questioning that she had aimed a handgun at Bazan and pulled the trigger, believing the weapon to be unloaded.
She acknowledged intentionally pointing the firearm in his direction.
A forensic autopsy confirmed that Bazan died from a gunshot wound to the head and ruled the death a homicide.
Valdez is currently being held at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center.
She is scheduled to appear in court for a bond hearing later Monday.
The investigation remains ongoing.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.