Police are looking for a Bronx man who they believe shot his wife on Christmas morning because she was seeking a divorce.
Cops say that 37-year-old suspect Rafael Herrera shot his wife of 11 years, 27-year-old Yadira Perea Saavedra, sometime before 10 a.m. on Friday morning inside their home on E. 220th Street in Williamsbridge. Saavedra was struck by a single bullet, which went through her arm and into her neck. She was transported to Jacobi Medical Center, where she was listed in stable condition.
The couple's two children, ages 10 and 8, were asleep upstairs when the shooting happened.
According to Saavedra's brother Sergio Saavedra, who lives in the same building with his wife and two kids, Saavedra had asked for a divorce recently. "He said a lot, 'I wanna kill you, I wanna kill you,' but I never believed he would do this," the brother told the Daily News.
He also told the Post that the couple had hosted a Christmas Eve party in their apartment that lasted until about 2 a.m. "He was very quiet. He didn’t talk, nothing," Sergio said of Herrera. "I saw in his face, something was different. Other times when we make celebrations he’s happy, but last night he was very quiet."
Other neighbors added that they had no idea the couple had been fighting: "I never heard any argument before," one told the News. "I’m shocked. He’s a quiet guy. I’m surprised to learn he has a gun."
Cops say that Herrera was last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and blue jeans, and was armed with a firearm. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential.
