close
close

Children call 911 to report their father just shot their mother – Crime Online

A Florida man was arrested Saturday after his children called 911 and said he had shot their mother.

Jose Manuel Otero-Fontanez, 48, opened fire on police responding to the 911 call in the Hanover Lakes community in St. Cloud, WESH reported. Officers sent a drone into the home, and Otero-Fontanez reported he also shot at the drone.

A hostage negotiator arrived at the scene, contacted the suspect by phone and eventually convinced him to surrender.

Police found the victim dead in the bathroom of the house. The couple's children, 10 and 24, were also in the house but were physically unharmed.

“Although we are still in the very early stages of the investigation, the crime that occurred here tonight is tragic and senseless,” St. Cloud Police Chief Douglas Goerke said, according to PositivelyOsceola.com. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the children who lost one of their parents here tonight. We will work with them to ensure they receive the resources they need to cope with this devastating event.”

Otero Fontanez was booked into the Osceola County Jail on a charge of first-degree murder. He is currently being held without bail, according to jail records.

Subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast for the latest true crime and justice news.

[Featured image: Shutterstock]