In a tragic turn of events on a February night in Saucier, Mississippi, two-year-old Chance Nathaniel Roberts, a White male, lost his life. The fatal incident occurred on February 9, 2019, inside the mobile home he shared with his family and another couple. An argument that began between Chance's father, Billy Roberts, and his roommate, David Garcia, escalated into a violent confrontation that would ultimately claim two lives.
The dispute reportedly began after Garcia dropped his infant daughter. Tensions flared, and the argument between the two men turned physical. Billy Roberts told investigators that he tried multiple times to restrain the 20-year-old Garcia to de-escalate the situation, but Garcia continued to attack him. Roberts retreated to his bedroom and locked the door, but Garcia allegedly banged on the door, threatening to kill both Roberts and his young son, Chance.
According to the affidavit, Garcia then broke through the wall into the bathroom, shouting that he was going to kill them. In what he claimed was an act of self-defense, Billy Roberts fired his gun at Garcia. Tragically, one of the bullets struck his son, Chance, who was on the bed and suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. After shooting Garcia, Roberts stated he saw Garcia on the floor and shot him again to ensure he was no longer a threat. When deputies responded to a 911 call late that night, both Garcia and young Chance were deceased.
Following the incident, Billy Roberts was arrested and subsequently faced charges of murder and manslaughter. He confessed to the killings but maintained that his actions were in self-defense, aimed at protecting himself and his son from Garcia's alleged threats and aggression. The case brought to light the devastating consequences of domestic disputes involving firearms. Billy Roberts was held at the Harrison County jail on bonds totaling $1.5 million.
