Mpls. Man Charged With Killing His Wife, Stepdaughter
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Minneapolis man is charged with murdering his wife and 15-year-old stepdaughter because they were about to leave him.
Gonzalo Galvan called 911 Friday evening and when police arrived he told them he had shot his family.
Galvan did spare his 7-year-old son, who witnessed the shootings.
Galvan told police his wife and step daughter had backpacks full of money and were getting ready to leave him. He said that his wife had told him she was also going to take his young son.
WCCO-TV is not naming the 48-year-old woman and her daughter, because not all relatives have been notified of their deaths. Both were found inside their home with multiple gunshot wounds.
Neighbors said they were shocked to hear Galvan was arrested.
"He was a really great dad," Elyse Zegoski said. "Out of everyone in this neighborhood, he seemed like an overall nice guy."
A relative told WCCO that Galvan had a history of abusing his wife.
Galvan has no criminal record, but that's something experts say is not unusual in abuse cases.
"We do see situations where people have no criminal history but family and friends know of a history of violence going on," said Tamara Stark of Tubman Family Crisis and Support Services. "So it's important that they get connected to resources."
Stark said it is also not unusual for children and teens to be victims, too. He said that people need to know they should reach out for assistance.
"If they are looking at ways to connect to other resource to help a friend or if they are concerned about their own safety, there are a range of resources for them and we encourage them to get that help," she said.
The crisis hotline for Tubman Family Crisis and Support services is 612-825-0000. That line is open 24/7 for anyone of any age to call and get help for either themselves or a friend or loved one who is a victim of domestic violence.