Louise Abraham, aged 34, tragically lost her life on September 23, 2019, in Bakersfield, California. The incident occurred in the early hours at the Santa Fe Apartments, located on South Union Avenue. Louise and her brother, Carlos Abraham, were both found with fatal gunshot wounds. The Bakersfield Police Department responded to a ShotSpotter activation and a subsequent 911 call, arriving at the scene to find the siblings already deceased. Louise's three children, who were present during the shooting, fortunately, were not physically harmed.
The investigation quickly led to the arrest of Moris Matauto Gilmete, Louise's husband. Gilmete was apprehended after a brief police chase that ended in a collision on Highway 178. Inside his vehicle, officers discovered a firearm, which was believed to be the weapon used in the shooting. Gilmete had a history of domestic violence, with several prior convictions for battery and violating court orders related to domestic abuse.
During the trial, it was revealed that the night of the incident, Gilmete had been drinking with family and neighbors. An argument ensued, leading Gilmete to draw a gun and shoot both Louise and Carlos. The prosecution presented a recording of a 911 call made by Louise, in which she could be heard pleading for her life before the gunshots rang out. Gilmete admitted to the police that after firing the first shot, he decided to shoot "everyone" because he believed he was already in as much trouble as possible.
The court found Gilmete guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, among other charges. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case highlighted the severe impact of domestic violence, with testimonies from family members recounting previous incidents of abuse. Louise's death left a profound void in the lives of her children and family, both in the United States and Micronesia, where she was originally from. The community mourned the loss of Louise and her brother, and the case served as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence.
