A Mercedes woman was arrested on February 10 after shooting her nine-year-old husband many times, rendering him unable to walk and fleeing the scene, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Claudia Zepeda, 50, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon resulting in serious bodily injury and tampering with evidence after allegedly shooting Leandro Gonzalez, Jr.
On February 9, at about 2:41 a.m., Weslaco police officers responded to an apartment at 1720 Harrison St. for reports of a man being shot.
The affidavit states that Gonzalez called police to report that Zepeda had shot him and left him unable to move. A witness also contacted 911, reporting that Zepeda left in a black 2022 Ford F-150 while still armed.
According to the affidavit, one officer heard a loud crash and noticed the F-150 had “purposely” driven into a power pole at the intersection of Westgate Drive and Canyon Drive.
Officers conducted a felony stop on the car, handcuffed Zepeda, and took her to Weslaco Jail.
When authorities arrived to assist Gonzalez, they discovered he had two gunshot wounds to his right leg, one on his right heel and another on his left leg. He also suffered a graze on his upper right arm.
The affidavit goes on to allege that Gonzalez was groaning in pain and bleeding profusely before being transferred to the hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, Gonzalez informed authorities that he would press charges and described how he and Zepeda went out for the night, had alcohol, and began arguing when they returned home.
“Gonzalez gathered his belongings to leave the apartment,” the document stated. “Gonzalez looked for Zepeda before departing. Gonzalez opened the back door to find Zepeda standing with a revolver pointing at him.
According to the documents, Zepeda shot Gonzalez using a black Ruger LCP Max. 380..
In reaction to her threats, Gonzalez said he was going to record her and started looking for his phone before realizing he had left it in his truck, the Ford F-150 Zepeda eventually took to depart the scene.
When Gonzalez arrived at his truck, he noticed it was idling and observed Zepeda seated in the driver’s seat.
He requested the truck keys, and Zepeda pointed the gun at him again, firing two shots, one of which grazed Gonzalez’s right arm.
“Gonzalez, in fear, fled to his apartment,” the document stated.
Zepeda pursued Gonzalez and shot him multiple times, striking him in the legs.
At around 2:37 a.m., Zepeda chased Gonzalez and fired at him, according to CCTV footage recovered from one of the four-plex homeowners.
“A total of seven loud bangs and muzzle flashes were recorded by the surveillance system,” according to the witness statement.
Officers spoke with one witness, who stated that they saw Zepeda fire bullets in the direction of one of the apartments, then attempt to force open the front door and bang on one of the windows before walking to the backyard and hearing two more gunshots.
According to the affidavit, authorities found the weapon in a grassy area near the intersection of Westgate Drive and Canyon Drive.
Investigators interrogated Zepeda at 3:55 p.m. on the same day, and she admitted to shooting Gonzalez but claimed it was in self-defense.
Gonzalez, according to Zepeda, had previously been abusive to her, verbally assaulting her and threatening to attack her, which is why she shot him. She did not report the assault.
“Zepeda claimed she was afraid of him; however, the video footage depicted the contrary,” according to the statement. “Zepeda couldn’t explain why she chased Gonzalez if she was afraid.” Finally, Zepeda admitted that her rage had taken over her.
According to jail records, Zepeda was released the following day after posting $100,000 in bonds.
