A cleaning lady was shot and killed in Whitestown, Indiana, after arriving at the wrong home for a house-cleaning appointment. Maria Florinda Rios Perez, 32, was found dead in her husband’s arms on the front porch of the home, where police later concluded there was no residential entry. The case has been submitted to prosecutors for review to determine if criminal charges will be brought against the homeowner, who remains unidentified.
According to officials, the incident occurred on Wednesday when the cleaning crew, including Rios Perez and her husband Mauricio Velásquez, mistakenly arrived at the wrong address. Whitestown police responded to the home for a possible home invasion before concluding that no residential entry occurred. The department stated that the individuals attempting to enter the home were members of a cleaning crew who had mistakenly arrived at the wrong address. The loss of life is always a profound tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected, the department added.
Rios Perez, a mother of four and originally from Guatemala, was described as a devoted wife, loving mother, and caring sister by her obituary. Her husband, Velásquez, expressed his grief and called for justice, criticizing the homeowner’s actions and the lack of police involvement. He told WTTV that the bullet was fired through the door of the home and that the homeowner should have called the police first instead of shooting out of nowhere.
Boone County prosecutor Kent Eastwood informed The Indianapolis Star that the case is complex due to the language in the state’s stand-your-ground law. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide, and police have not yet released the identity of the homeowner, citing the complexity of the case and the potential danger of disclosing that information.
Authorities extended their condolences and prayers to the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. The incident has sparked discussions about the consequences of mistaken encounters and the need for clearer guidelines to prevent such tragedies in the future.