HOUSTON – This week, two different men were accused of shooting their spouses. One of the victims died.
A man in northeast Houston was accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend out of Jealousy. Days before, a different man was accused of kidnapping, strangling, and shooting his wife. Both men admitted to the crimes, according to police. This pattern of domestic violence is keeping a steady pace.
“Anecdotally, what I know from our community partners are that domestic violence is not necessarily on the rise, but it just seems like the cases are getting more severe and more violent.”
Amy Smith is the Senior Director of Operations and Communications for the Harris County Domestic Violence Council. She said abusers using technology to track down their victims is becoming more common. Bellaire police said Axel Conlindres used a GPS tracker to find his wife before shooting her.
“We have seen a rise in tracking of victims, not only on their car but, you know, putting things in their children’s backpacks or in their children’s stuffed toys to kind of keep an eye on what’s going on with that particular victim,” said Smith.
Colindres is out on bond. Records show he was also accused of assaulting his wife in 2019, but those charges were dropped. Smith said a new law is going into effect on September 1 that could redefine the definition of stalking.
“It adds that if a reasonable person would be afraid of harm or to them or to a family member, then that kind of expands the stalking statute. So it could be it’s going to be a little bit easier to file stalking charges now,” Smith said.
The man accused of killing his wife in northeast Houston had only been dating her for a month, according to HPD. Smith said regardless of how long you’re in a relationship, always trust your gut.
“If you think that you’re in a short-term relationship and, you know, things have escalated quickly, you know, like from, you know, your first date till you’re moving in together and or, you know, they become really controlling of your movements, of who you’re talking to, you know, wanting to have access to your phone, your emails, things like that. If that is happening quickly, then that’s a red flag,” Smith said.
At this time, arrest information for the man accused of killing his wife in northeast Houston has not been released.
In an effort to help victims, KPRC 2 News created a series, “Breaking Free,” reporting on domestic-related violence and its horrific consequences. The series showcased various stories of survival, heartache, and some even ending in death, but each shared a list of free domestic violence resources on how to get help.
Do you know someone in need of help? KPRC 2 released the following features in “Breaking Free.”