Tragic Shooting of Cleaning Woman in Indiana

A woman was shot in the head after mistakenly arriving at the wrong address for a cleaning job, leading to a heartbreaking scene for her family. Reports indicate that her anguished husband confronted the shooter, calling him an “animal” moments before the attack occurred.

María Florinda Ríos Perez, a 32-year-old mother of four, was fatally shot in Indianapolis on Wednesday morning when she attempted to enter a house she believed was where she was supposed to work, using a key provided to her for her janitorial duties.

Whitestown Police Lt. John Jarkasz stated at a press briefing that the gunfire originated from “inside the home.” Remarkably, the front door remained closed, but the homeowner fired through it. Photos from local media depicted bullet holes on the door.

Perez’s husband, Mauricio Velasquez, witnessed the tragic event and is calling for justice, referring to the individual responsible as a “dog.” He expressed his grief by saying, “What I need now is for justice to be done. In that sense, he took her life, so I don’t think that’s humane.” He emphasized the cruel nature of the act, suggesting that whether the victim was an animal or a human, the way she was killed was inexcusable.

Velasquez lamented his loss, explaining, “Now I’m a father and a mother to my children, my daughters, and he’s happy at home,” referring to the shooter.

Perez, who co-owned a cleaning business with Velasquez, mistakenly believed the expansive home in Whitestown was the correct location for her job. According to a police report, the couple had confirmed the address twice and even drove around the neighborhood to be sure they were in the right spot.

Just as they were about to use the key, a bullet struck the door. Velasquez watched in horror as his wife collapsed, blood pouring from her wounds.

A 911 call was made around 7 a.m. reporting a home invasion, but police quickly determined that Pérez and her husband were not attempting to break in.

Perez was declared dead at the scene. The Boone County Coroner’s Office later confirmed she had died from a gunshot wound to the head.

As of Friday, the shooter remains unidentified, and no arrests have been made. Whitestown police described the incident as a “complex and evolving case,” assuring the public they are committed to a thorough investigation to see if charges would be warranted.

The Boone County Prosecutor’s Office is treating this tragedy as a homicide and plans to release further details next week regarding potential charges against the shooter.

In Indiana, strong “stand your ground” laws permit homeowners to use deadly force to protect themselves and their property. The law states that “deadly force” may be justified in a “lawfully present” location if it is believed that such force is essential to prevent serious bodily harm or a felony.

As of Friday, Whitestown police had not responded to additional inquiries about the case.