A routine cleaning job turned deadly Wednesday morning when a mother of four, Maria Florinda Ríos Pérez, 32, was shot outside a Whitestown, Indiana, home she had mistakenly entered.
Her husband, Mauricio Velázquez, watched in horror as Pérez fell, leaving him devastated and demanding justice.
The couple, who operate their own cleaning business, had double-checked the address and driven around the neighborhood to ensure they were at the correct property.
As they tried to use the keys provided for the job, Pérez was struck by a single gunshot while standing on the front porch.
“She didn’t even put the key in when I heard the shot happen,” Velázquez told IndyStar. “I saw my wife had stepped back twice, and then the keys dropped.”
“Then she dropped, and I went to catch her. I was trying to console her and tell her everything was going to be OK, but I was seeing the blood coming out.”
Police responded to a 911 call reporting a possible home invasion at the same time.
Officers found Pérez deceased on the porch and her husband in shock.
Authorities confirmed the couple had not attempted to break into the home but believed they were entering the property they had been hired to clean, the New York Post reports.
No arrests have been made, and Whitestown Metropolitan Police stated that the investigation remains active.
“The loss of life is always a profound tragedy, and our hearts and prayers go out to all those affected,” the department said.
Detectives are interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence to determine the next steps.
Indiana law permits homeowners to use deadly force to defend themselves or their property under “Stand Your Ground” statutes.
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood told NBC News that lethal force is allowed if an individual reasonably believes it is necessary to protect their dwelling, without a duty to retreat.
Velázquez expressed his grief and determination to care for his children while seeking justice for his wife.
“For me, she was the love of my life. She was a good wife and a good mother,” he said.
He is working to return her body to their hometown in Guatemala. The couple, originally from Guatemala, has an unknown immigration status.
Family and friends described Pérez as kind and hardworking, devoted to her children and attentive to her family’s daily life.
Over 30 relatives gathered Wednesday evening at her brother’s Indianapolis home to provide support, prayers and meals.
The couple’s children include daughters aged 17, 10 and 8, as well as a son approaching his first birthday.
Velázquez reflected on the challenges of raising them alone: “Just pray for my family. Raising them isn’t going to be easy.”
Whitestown officers noted they could not confirm whether the shooter has been questioned.
Family members of the homeowner had no additional information. Authorities emphasized their commitment to a thorough and impartial investigation.
The tragic shooting underscores the risks faced by workers providing essential services and the dangers that can result from misunderstandings.
Police continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses as the case remains under close review.
