Two charged in deadly Lebanon County shooting
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Two people were charged in connection to a deadly Lebanon County shooting.
Mariam Saadoune, 20, and Guillen Fabian-Garcia, 25, both of Lebanon, were arrested Thursday when they turned themselves in for the shooting death of 24-year-old Hector Pomales-Torres, according to Lebanon City Police.
In a statement, Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Graf called the shooting a “mistake that can never be undone.”
“The gross negligence of these Defendants combined to fire a bullet into their own occupied home and kill their friend,” Graf said. “This ultimate consequence – the killing of Hector Pomales-Torres – is the one mistake that can never be undone.”
Previous coverage-> Man fatally shot inside Lebanon County home
According to the DA’s office, the duo were allegedly handling a handgun and Saadoune, who allegedly fired the gun, thought it was unloaded. The DA’s office says Saadoune shot the firearm at a closed door and the bullet traveled through the home and hit Pomales-Torres in the abdomen.
Pomales-Torres was rushed to the Good Samaritan Hospital by Fabian-Garcia where he later died from his injuries on April 10. Police say they were called to the hospital after Pomales-Torres died and began investigating.
Police learned Saadoune was handling the gun legally bought by Fabian-Garcia who was teaching her how to safely manipulate it. According to the DA’s Office, Fabian-Garcia let Saadoune touch the gun, eject the loaded magazine, and allegedly pull the trigger which caused a live round to be fired and fatally strike Pomales-Torres.
“The charges in this case are not an indictment of lawful gun ownership, use, or possession,” Graf said. “The charges are a reflection that anytime an individual holds a gun – he or she holds the ability to take a life. Firearms should be treated with the utmost respect for that very reason.”
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Saadoune was interviewed and cooperated with police during the investigation and the DA’s Office says there was evidence at the scene that matched the events she told.
Saadoune is charged with involuntary manslaughter, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure, and recklessly endangering another person.
Fabian-Garcia faces a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person.
“The criminal charges reflect the factual background of the case – a negligent killing is manslaughter,” Graf said. “The charges should serve as a reminder to our community to always practice safe handling of weapons. Had these Defendants followed safe gun ownership, our victim would still be alive today.”
Court records show Saadoune is in Lebanon County Prison with bail set at $100,000 and Fabian-Garcia is also in county prison with bail set at $20,000.
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A preliminary hearing for the duo is scheduled for May 2.
The Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office, along with the Lebanon City Detective Division, handled the investigation.
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