GREELEY, Colo. — What ought to have been a peaceable Sunday morning turned tragic for Greeley father Joaquin Mininger. Greeley police say Mininger’s 24-year-old daughter, Sierra Nicole Mininger, was shot and killed in her residence round 6 a.m. Sunday.
Police arrested Gabriel Esparza, 23, who was recognized because the suspect. Esparza was Mininger’s ex-boyfriend and the 2 had solely just lately damaged up. Based on a police affidavit, Esparza informed conflicting tales, first telling officers that he was woken up by a “loud pop” and located that Sierra had been shot.
Esparza later informed officers that he preferred to play Russian Roulette and “will get excessive off not figuring out whether or not a bullet is within the chamber.” Esparza informed officers he pointed the gun at Mininger and pulled the set off, not figuring out {that a} bullet was loaded.
Esparza was booked into the Weld County Jail on prices of first-degree homicide, possession of a weapon by a earlier offender, and home violence. He has two earlier arrests in Weld County and pleaded responsible in 2021 to unlawful discharge of a firearm, for a case in October 2020.
“It is like a foul dream,” mentioned Joaquin.
Mininger’s father had lived together with her for the previous two years and was residence on the time of the capturing. Joaquin mentioned Esparza woke him up after the capturing and when he ran upstairs he noticed Mininger bleeding on her mattress.
“I wanted to carry her wound till the paramedics acquired there,” mentioned Joaquin. “I reassured her that I beloved her and that I am right here for her, and if she might hold on, to please hold on. It’s the worst factor anyone might undergo.”
Joaquin Mininger
Mininger, a JROTC Marine Copr commencement, left behind her father and two siblings. She additionally had three canine, a cat and two birds, which Joaquin mentioned he plans to handle.
“She actually needed a household,” mentioned Joaquin. “That is why she had so many pets, that was her starter equipment for a household.”
Joaquin mentioned Mininger was protecting of her household and had even helped considered one of her pals escape an abusive relationship just lately. The daddy hopes her loss of life will assist increase consciousness for problems with home violence in Colorado.
After investigators completed gathering proof on the scene, Mininger’s household cleaned up her room. Joaquin mentioned he now sleeps in her previous bed room, to really feel nearer to his daughter.
“Some folks say it is loopy, however she was my blood. She was sunshine. She’d stroll within the room and it brightened up, everyone might really feel her love and compassion,” recalled Joaquin.
Mininger’s funeral ceremony is meant to happen subsequent week.
Court docket data present that Esparza’s bond was set at $5 million on Monday.
If you would like to assist out the household with funeral bills, click on right here. As of Thursday morning, greater than $8,000 had been donated.
In case you or somebody you already know is experiencing home violence, assist is offered by means of Violence Free Colorado or the Nationwide Home Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
