Shooting victims' family says suspect was abusive
Posted on 08/06/2002 2:17:08 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
Shooting victims' family says suspect was abusive
Dark image emerges of man held in killing of wife, 2 kids, in-laws
08/06/2002
Cecilia Ochoa had confided to her sisters about her rocky relationship with her husband, Abel Ochoa, and his "controlling and abusive" personality, police said Monday.
Police, who say Mr. Ochoa killed his wife, his two young children, father-in-law and sister-in-law at the family's central Oak Cliff home Sunday, were still lacking a motive. But they said a darker image of the 29-year-old unemployed truck driver is emerging.
"According to family members, there was a history of him being a controlling, abusive person," said Dallas police homicide Sgt. Larry Lewis. "She had talked to her sisters about this. Now one sister is dead and the other is in the hospital."
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Mr. Ochoa's brother, Gabriel Ochoa, said his brother was distraught when he called from jail Monday afternoon.
"He said he didn't know what happened," Gabriel Ochoa said. "He's having a hard time dealing with what he did. Those were his kids, and he loved them."
Friends and neighbors say Sunday started like most others in the Ochoa household.
The couple and their two children went to church Sunday morning as they did most weeks, and Ms. Ochoa was excited about beginning her sixth year as a Head Start teacher. Later they went to Gabriel Ochoa's house, returning to their home in the 2300 block of Salerno Drive at 4 or 5 p.m., Gabriel Ochoa said.
About 6 p.m., police say that Mr. Ochoa opened fire with a semiautomatic handgun inside the house.
Mr. Ochoa left the loaded weapon in the house and fled, while Ms. Ochoa's wounded sister stumbled to a neighbor's house for help, police said. Inside the house, police found the bodies of Ms. Ochoa, 32; her 7-year-old daughter, Crystal; 9-month-old daughter, Ana; her father, Bartolo Alvizo, 56; and her sister Jacqueline Saleh, 20.
The survivor, Alma Alvizo, 27, was in critical condition at Methodist Medical Center after undergoing surgery.
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He was being held Monday at Lew Sterrett Justice Center. He was under close observation by guards because he indicated that he was suicidal, jail officials said. Bail for his capital murder charge has been set at $2 million.
Mr. Ochoa is cooperating with investigators and has given a statement about the shooting, police said.
Gabriel Ochoa said his brother and sister-in-law had marital problems but that they were no different from those of most couples.
"It just surprised me. He's the kind of guy who wouldn't hurt anyone," Gabriel Ochoa said. "He was the best person you've ever known. Is the best person."
Mr. Ochoa hauled steel for a Midlothian company for nearly 10 years. Authorities and acquaintances gave varying accounts about why he left.
"He's worked out here for a number of years," said Rebecca Eaton, who oversees human resources for the company. "Everybody out here knew him real well."
She declined to comment further.
Abel Ochoa and Cecilia Alvizo applied for a marriage license in December 1993, according to court records. They had lived in the same house for about eight years, Gabriel Ochoa said. Court records show that the couple separated in 1997, and a lawsuit was filed against Mr. Ochoa for nonpayment of child support. Court records said the case was dismissed in March 1998.
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Ms. Ochoa had already decorated her classroom at the Nolan Estes Head Start Center. Colleagues said she had a way with children as well as their parents.
About 30 Head Start employees gathered Monday morning for counseling. They cried as they recalled her enthusiasm and the way she got them involved, even teaching them to salsa dance.
"She was very optimistic about her future and furthering her education," said Ruby Duenas, who worked with Ms. Ochoa.
At The Family Place, a Dallas domestic violence shelter, executive director Paige Flink predicted a surge in hotline calls from women who hear about Ms. Ochoa's death and decide to get out of abusive relationships. The center housed more than 900 women and children last year and provided services to more than 9,000.
"I just think we've got to make the violence stop now," she said. "We've got to create an environment where people think they can get help, whether it's victims or perpetrators."
E-mail rtharp@dallasnews.com and jemily@dallasnews.com
5 shot dead in Oak Cliff home
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