An undocumented immigrant was arrested following a domestic shooting that injured his pregnant wife, resulting in the tragic death of their seven-month-old unborn baby.
The suspect, 41-year-old Luis Marcano-Marcano, a Venezuelan national, was identified as being in the U.S. illegally. Records indicate the individual has ties to the Tren de Aragua gang.
According to the investigation, the incident occurred during a birthday party at a home in the Charlotte area. After the guests departed, an argument broke out between the couple.
The suspect pulled out a handgun and discharged it into the floor near his wife's feet. During a struggle over the weapon while she attempted to intervene, the wife was shot in the abdomen.
The wound led to the death of the seven-month-old fetus, a heartbreaking event reminiscent of other past cases involving the murder of a couple and their unborn child.
Following the incident, the suspect drove his wife to the hospital and then discarded the firearm.
Authorities arrested the individual and charged him with discharging a firearm in a residential area, part of an effort to prevent crimes resulting in serious fatalities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has placed a detainer on him due to his illegal status and related legal issues in Venezuela.
The court initially set bail at $1 million, which was later reduced to $250,000.
Currently, no direct criminal charges have been filed regarding the death of the fetus, although North Carolina law allows for prosecution in cases similar to recent high-profile assaults on pregnant women.
The investigation is ongoing.
