Insets, left to right: Magdaleno Mendoza Jr. (Birmingham Police Department) and Jorge Fonseca (Wow Factor 205). Background: Barbershop in Birmingham, Ala., where Mendoza allegedly killed Fonseca (Google Maps).
A tragic incident unfolded in Alabama when a cherished youth baseball coach was fatally shot in front of his wife and children following a dispute with a friend.
Authorities have charged 36-year-old Magdaleno Mendoza Jr. with provocation manslaughter in connection with the death of Jorge Fonseca, according to the Birmingham Police Department. This unfortunate event took place on Saturday outside a barbershop located in a strip mall at 260 West Valley Avenue.
Under Alabama law, provocation manslaughter applies when a person recklessly causes another’s death in a “sudden heat of passion,” as detailed in state legal code.
According to AL.com, the two men, who were known to each other, engaged in a heated argument that escalated into a physical confrontation just outside the barbershop. It was during this altercation that Mendoza is alleged to have drawn a firearm and fatally shot Fonseca. After fleeing the scene, Mendoza was apprehended by police approximately 15 minutes later.
At the time of the shooting, Fonseca’s wife and four children were inside the barbershop. Additional information has yet to be disclosed.
The victim was a coach with the Wow Factor 205 youth baseball organization.
“More than a coach, Coach George was a devoted husband, a loving father, a proud son, a caring brother, a loyal friend, and a mentor to countless young athletes. His greatest pride was his family. He loved being a dad and was deeply committed to his children, always leading by example through his hard work, dedication and unconditional love,” a post on the organization’s Facebook page said. “Coach George taught more than the game of baseball — he taught life. He instilled values of respect, accountability, perseverance and character in every player he coached. He had a unique ability to make every child feel important, valued and capable of achieving more than they thought possible.”
Fonseca’s friend Troy Whetstone said in an interview with local Fox affiliate WBRC that he was just with the victim and his son the night before the shooting. Whetstone’s son played on a baseball team with Fonseca’s.
The death has rippled through the tight-knit local traveling baseball community.
“A lot of kids took it bad,” Whetstone said. “Especially my son … I’m pretty sure my son looked at Coach George as a second dad. He was special. It was different. To have those types of coaches on your staff, it means the world. Especially to parents.”