“She would always tell me that she wanted to leave, but that she couldn’t," the victim's sister said.
Trigger Warning: The following content contains mentions of gun violence, intimate partner violence, and murder, which may be distressing for some readers.
After learning that his girlfriend had left the state to get an abortion, a man shot and killed her in Dallas. An arrest warrant document acquired by CBS News revealed that the boyfriend, Harold Thompson, 22, shot and killed Gabriella Gonzalez, 26, in a parking lot on May 10 after having a confrontation with her post learning that she had gone to Colorado to undergo an abortion procedure. “It is believed that the suspect was the father of the child,” the affidavit said. “The suspect did not want (Gonzalez) to get an abortion.”
Gonzalez was first placed in a choking grip after an argument between the couple. Gonzalez “shrugs him off,” police said, and the two continue walking. After that, Thompson allegedly shot Gonzalez once in the head, and then several additional rounds were fired after she went to the ground, as shown on surveillance video, according to the police affidavit. Gonzalez died there and then.
Gabriella Gonzalez was shot and killed by her boyfriend, Harold Thompson, on May 10th.
— Calés McGinnis ✨ (@CalesMcGinnis) May 13, 2023
Gabriella had just returned home to Texas after having an abortion in Colorado.
In March, Thompson was charged with assault on an unnamed victim he was in a relationship with.
A thread 🧵
Tragically, Mileny Rubio, her sister, saw the murder take place as she was driving nearby to drop off her boyfriend at work. “I heard gunshots and immediately knew it was her and when I looked back, it was her. She was on the floor,” she said. “I was in shock. I couldn’t touch her. I couldn’t move. My body froze. I just called my mom and I couldn’t even explain to her.”
As a result of the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022, trigger laws outlawing abortion were passed in a number of states, including Texas.
By recognizing reproductive coercion as domestic violence, SB 374 provides survivors with access to judicial protection and relief, such as restraining orders.
— Dave Min 🇺🇸 (@DaveMinCA) May 14, 2023
If Texas had followed our lead and enacted a bill like this, Gabriella Gonzalez might still be alive today. 3/3
Gonzalez's family disclosed to NBC 5 that the couple had just ended their 4-month relationship, which was reportedly violent. He had a criminal history and an arrest warrant was filed for Thompson before the shooting because of prior allegations of domestic assault, according to the outlet. “I knew she wasn’t OK but we couldn’t help, we didn’t know how,” Rubio said.
Gonzalez's mother claimed that although her family had formally reported the incident to Dallas Police in March, they never received a response. “I looked at her beaten, he no longer let her talk to anyone, he took everything from her,” Gonzalez’ mother told NBC 5 in Spanish. “He took her phone, he managed everything for her. She was scared.”
‘Dallas Woman's Family Says Revenge Was Motive for Her Murder’
— Ramona (@desderamona) May 14, 2023
‘The family of Gabriella Gonzalez said she was trying to leave an abusive partner’
“Harold Thompson, 22, was arrested on a murder charge in the killing of 26-year-old Gonzalez”#RoeCrimeshttps://t.co/dMfVvWBLWb
According to court documents, Gonzalez was mistreated by Thompson when she was pregnant. “He was so angry that she wanted to get away from him,” Rubio said. “She would always tell me that she wanted to leave, but that she couldn’t."
For Thompson, no bond has been set yet. It is unclear whether he has hired representation. Gonzalez is survived by her three children. On Sunday, May 14, Gonzalez's family held a viewing and memorial service. Monday is the appointed day for the funeral service. Funds are now being raised to assist with funeral expenses on a GoFundMe. “My sister was very beautiful. She was so sweet,” Rubio said. “It’s so heartbreaking because everybody loved her.”
Gabriela Gonzalez had three children who now don't have a mother because the warrant for Domestic Violence against her murderer was not enforced.
— Hallelujah Anasuya (@AnasuyaIam) May 13, 2023
So many women are being killed because the police do not protect women against Domestic Violence and Rape who press charges. https://t.co/oKZC4Oos9d
References:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-man-kills-girlfriend-abortion-colorado-police-say/
https://www.gofundme.com/f/gabriela-gonzalez-funeral-expenses
Cover Image Source: GoFundMe
