Death of unborn infant in Wichita Falls ruled murder

Editor's note: This story contains information about an alleged suicide. If you or anyone you know could be struggling with suicidal thoughts, call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) any time day or night or chat online; The Veterans Crisis Line and Military Crisis Line, 1-800-273-8255, press 1; or the Crisis Text Line provides free confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week via text message to people in crisis when they text "HELLO" to 741741.

The 2024 murder toll in Wichita Falls has risen to seven after police confirmed a woman who was shot and killed was pregnant at the time.

Police responded to a report of gunshots at the Highpoint Village apartments in the 5500 block of Professional Drive early on June 22.

They found a 22-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman with gunshot wounds in the parking lot, according to a WFPD press release.

The release said the woman was dead at the scene and the man died later at a hospital.

The woman was later identified as Alicia Elias and the suspected gunman was Abelino Gonzales.

According to allegations from the Wichita Falls police, witnesses saw the couple arguing in the parking lot of the apartments before Gonzales shot Elias and then turned the gun on himself.

A medical examination revealed Elias was pregnant and the baby also died as a result of the shooting, according to police.

In 2022, Gonzales pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge after police arrested him for knocking a 15-year-old girl to the ground, stomping her head and causing her to have a seizure.

He was sentenced to 184 days in the Wichita County Jail minus 92 days he served prior to the plea.