Whitestown, Indiana — A tragic incident has claimed the life of Maria Florinda Rios Perez de Velasquez, a 32-year-old house cleaner and mother of four, who was shot and killed Wednesday morning. Local authorities report that the shooting occurred when de Velasquez and her husband mistakenly arrived at the wrong residence, believing it to be the location where they had been contracted to work.
Emergency services responded to calls reporting the shooting around 9 a.m. Upon arrival, police found de Velasquez on the front porch with a gunshot wound to the head. Medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene, according to Boone County Coroner Justin Sparks.
Family members described de Velasquez as a loving mother and devoted worker who had immigrated from Guatemala. Her brother, Rudy Rios, expressed grief and disbelief, emphasizing that she was merely trying to earn a living. “She accidentally went to the wrong house, but he shouldn’t have taken her life. She was only trying to bring home the daily bread to support her family,” Rios said.
An autopsy performed later confirmed the death as a homicide resulting from a gunshot wound. Sparks cautioned, however, that the classification as homicide does not automatically indicate that criminal charges will follow.
Investigators are currently examining the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Whitestown police stated that initial findings suggest the couple had not attempted to unlawfully enter the property. Police Captain John Yurkosh commented that the investigation is ongoing and emphasized the importance of accurately determining what transpired.
As of now, the identity of the shooter has not been publicly disclosed. Officials reported that the response team worked swiftly to secure the scene and provide appropriate assistance, but de Velasquez was beyond help upon their arrival.
Both the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department and the Boone County Coroner’s Office are conducting a thorough investigation. Further details about the incident remain limited as authorities focus on gathering evidence and assessing witness statements.
Law enforcement urges anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward and contact the Whitestown Metropolitan Police Department.