A family gathering in Colorado Springs turned into a scene of unimaginable horror on Mother's Day, May 9, 2021. Mayra Ibarra de Perez, a 33-year-old woman, was tragically killed in a mass shooting that claimed the lives of five other family members. The celebration, held at the Canterbury Mobile Home Park, was pierced by the violent actions of 28-year-old Teodoro Macias.
The party was a joint celebration for several family members.
In attendance were ten relatives, including three children aged two, five, and eleven. Macias, the boyfriend of Mayra's sister, Sandra Ibarra-Perez, arrived uninvited. He was reportedly upset about not being included in the family event. Witnesses and police reports indicate that Macias had a history of jealous and controlling behavior towards Sandra, often attempting to isolate her from her family.
Shortly after midnight, Macias entered the mobile home and, in a methodical and deliberate manner, shot six of the adults in quick succession before turning the gun on himself. The other victims were identified as Melvin Perez, 30, who was Mayra's husband; Sandra Ibarra-Perez, 28; Jose Ibarra, 26; Joana Cruz, 52; and Jose Gutierrez, 21. Miraculously, the three children inside the home were physically unharmed, though they were in close proximity to the horrific events and witnessed what occurred. One adult was able to escape the residence without injury.
The investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department quickly identified the incident as a case of domestic violence. According to authorities, Macias's anger over not being invited to the party, coupled with his controlling behavior, was the catalyst for the tragedy. He used a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm semi-automatic pistol that was not registered in his name. While Macias had no prior criminal history or reported domestic violence incidents with Sandra, the underlying issues of power and control in their relationship culminated in this devastating act of violence. The shooting left a community in mourning and three children orphaned. The suspect died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and therefore no arrests were made.
