Fredi Mercado, a 31-year-old male of Latino ethnicity, tragically lost his life on June 21, 2019, in Dallas, TX. Mercado was one of two victims found shot dead in an apartment at the Coronado Apartments in the early hours of the morning. The other victim, Urania De Jesus, aged 34, was also killed in the incident.
The suspect in this case, Leo Ted Pintor, aged 40, was identified and arrested shortly after the incident.
Pintor, who was the estranged husband of De Jesus, was charged with capital murder. According to police reports, a witness saw Pintor kick in the door of the apartment before the gunshots were heard. Pintor had a history of family violence and was known to possess a firearm. At the time of the shooting, De Jesus had a protective order against Pintor due to their ongoing divorce proceedings.
Pintor was taken into custody and charged with capital murder. He was later transported to the Dallas County Jail. During the investigation, Pintor reportedly called family members and admitted to "messing up" and needing help with his children. However, he refused to cooperate with the police and did not provide a statement regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
The tragic deaths of Mercado and De Jesus were part of a series of violent incidents in Dallas during that week, highlighting the broader issue of domestic violence and its devastating consequences. The community and authorities continue to work towards preventing such tragedies and providing support to those affected by domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is affected by domestic violence, please seek help at thehotline.org or by calling 1-800-799-SAFE .
