Vincent Apilado, a 79-year-old man of Hispanic ethnicity, was tragically shot and killed in his El Paso, Texas home on November 28, 2015. His death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner, who testified that Vincent died immediately after being shot in the head with a rifle. The circumstances surrounding his death were particularly shocking because the perpetrator was his own son, Steven Apilado.
Steven Apilado, who was 37 years old at the time, claimed that he was sleepwalking when
he shot his father. However, the prosecution argued that the rifle used in the killing, a Mosin-Nagant, could not be fired repeatedly without reloading, suggesting that Steven was fully awake and aware during the incident. Steven had a history of violence against his family, including a prior assault on his parents in 2014 for which he was on probation.
When the police arrived at the scene, Steven had barricaded himself in the house, leading to a SWAT team being called in to negotiate his surrender. After a short negotiation, Steven surrendered and was subsequently arrested. In December 2016, Steven was convicted of murder and sentenced to 80 years in prison.
The case drew significant media attention, particularly because of Steven's defense that he was sleepwalking at the time of the shooting. Despite his claims, the jury found him guilty based on the evidence presented, including the nature of the weapon used and Steven's prior violent behavior.
Vincent Apilado's death was a tragic and heartbreaking event that highlighted issues of family violence and mental health. His legacy as a dedicated teacher and family man was overshadowed by the violent actions of his son, leaving a lasting impact on his family and community.
