The Hunt County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a reported homicide which occurred Saturday evening near Caddo Mills.
Estanislado Theodo Hernandez, 37, of Royse City received multiple gunshot wounds during a birthday party at a residence on County Road 2737, according to Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks.
“For the past two years, we have been fortunate in that we had zero homicides in Hunt County,” Meeks said. “Unfortunately, within the last two months, we have had two homicides in our county.”
It was the third shooting death reported in Hunt County so far this year, including one in the Caddo Mills city limits.
But Hernandez’s stepfather took exception with the statement issued by the sheriff’s office Monday afternoon.
“There was only one gunshot,” Jim McDonald told the Herald-Banner. “It was just a tragic accident.”
Meeks said his office received a call at around 7 p.m. Saturday of a possible shooting. Deputies arrived and found that Hernandez had suffered at least two gunshot wounds. Hernandez was transported by air ambulance to Parkland Hospital in Dallas where he died as the result of his wounds.
“Information recovered determined that they were having a birthday party at the residence when a disturbance occurred,” Meeks said. “The victim was shot by the owner of the residence.”
“There was only one gunshot fired,” McDonald insisted. “The home owner never intended for it to happen. It was just an altercation which got out of hand.”
No arrests had been reported Monday evening in connection with the shooting, although Meeks said the incident is being investigated by the Criminal Investigation Division.
McDonald said he, Hernandez’s mother and the home owner are all distraught over what happened.
Hernandez’s death was the third homicide involving a shooting reported in the county so far during 2014.
