Nelly Chi Salazar-Kantun, a 39-year-old resident of San Bernardino, California, tragically lost her life on February 12, 2014. She was the manager of a Domino's Pizza restaurant located on East Highland Avenue. On that fateful day, Nelly was confronted by her ex-boyfriend, Pedro Enrique Duquesne, 55, while she was at work. The confrontation quickly escalated as Duquesne pulled out a gun and began shooting at Nelly.
Despite her attempts to escape, she was shot multiple times, including twice in the abdomen. She managed to run outside the restaurant but collapsed shortly after. A nearby security guard witnessed the incident and called for help. Nelly was rushed to St. Bernardine's Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead due to her injuries.
The investigation revealed that Nelly and Duquesne had been in a tumultuous four-year relationship, which had recently deteriorated. On the day of the incident, Duquesne had dropped Nelly off at work, and they had been arguing over the phone. Duquesne returned to the restaurant with a gun, leading to the fatal shooting. Witnesses reported seeing Duquesne drive away in a black Honda Accord. The police launched a manhunt and located Duquesne later that evening near Waterman Avenue and Mill Street, a few miles from the crime scene. Upon his arrest, Duquesne admitted to the shooting, and he was taken into custody.
The case garnered significant media attention due to the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that Nelly was a mother of three. The community was shocked and saddened by the loss of a beloved member. Duquesne was charged with murder and faced legal proceedings for his actions. The investigation and subsequent trial highlighted the issues of domestic violence and the tragic consequences it can have. Nelly's death served as a grim reminder of the importance of addressing and preventing domestic abuse.
