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Inset: Ernest Leal (Galveston County Jail). Background: The 3200 block of Dominique Drive in Galveston, Texas, where Leal allegedly shot his wife to death (Google Maps).
In a tragic turn of events in Texas, an 88-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly shooting and killing his 89-year-old wife, who was terminally ill, as she lay in bed. The Galveston Police Department has charged Ernest Leal with murder following the death of Anita Leal.
Authorities were alerted to the incident early Monday morning, around 4:45 a.m., when they responded to a medical emergency at a residence on the 3200 block of Dominique Drive. A medical device had signaled a potential emergency, prompting first responders to the scene.
Upon entering the home, officers discovered Anita Leal deceased, suffering from a gunshot wound. Ernest Leal reportedly confessed to paramedics that he had shot his wife. He was subsequently taken into custody by the police.
According to a report from Houston’s NBC affiliate KPRC, Ernest Leal explained to detectives that he had shot his wife due to her ongoing battle with a terminal illness. As the investigation is still underway, further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident have not yet been disclosed.
During a bond hearing on Monday, Ernest Leal appeared in court in a wheelchair. The presiding judge reduced his bond from $250,000 to $80,000, according to jail records.
He remained at the Galveston County Jail as of Tuesday afternoon.
Those who knew the Leals took to social media to lament her death. The owner of Flippers Coastal Seafood wrote about the last time the Leals came to the restaurant.
“On their last visit, they both ordered meals, which they usually shared, but this time they opted for individual portions. My server observed Mrs. Anita’s frustration as she struggled to recall whether she had ordered one or two meals,” the owner wrote. “I intervened, reassuring her that it was okay to forget, and Mr. Ernest comfortingly rubbed her back, telling her to let it go.”
It appeared to the owner that Anita Leal was suffering from dementia. The post did not say when the interaction occurred.
“This couple, in particular, held a special place in my heart, and it is disheartening to witness the cruel comments surrounding this tragedy. I firmly believe that life is precious, and it is essential that we acknowledge this reality,” the post said.