Garland police are searching for a man they say is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Saturday night.
Officers were called at about 9 p.m. to an apartment community in the 3000 block of West Walnut Street. The woman's two children were found wandering nearby, crying and asking for help, according to Lt. Pedro Barineau.
"It’s very unfortunate because these are children under the age of 10. So, they witnessed this violence occur in front of them," Barineau said.
The woman, identified Monday as 33-year-old Anabel Rodriguez, was taken with a gunshot wound to a local hospital, where she died.
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Police said the woman had been shot in her apartment by her boyfriend, 40-year-old Rodrigo Roman Villareal, while her two children were home.
The victim's third child was not there at the time.
"The children are safe. They are with Child Protective Services right now. We’re obviously still talking to people. Someone knows more about this family, and perhaps what may have led up to the shooting," Barineau said. "Either way, this is a horrible situation. I mean, you have young children witnessing a violent attack where their mother gets shot by somebody and they’re left to suffer with it."
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An arrest warrant for murder has been obtained for Villareal, who police think fled in a blue four-door Mazda 6 with Illinois license plate P39 3720.
He is described as a 5-foot-9-inch Hispanic man with black hair who weighs about 135 pounds. He is thought to be armed and dangerous, police said.
Anyone with information about Villareal's location may call the Garland Police Department at 972-485-4840 or 911. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Garland Crime Stoppers by calling 972-272-8477.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information that leads to his arrest.
