Missouri – A Missouri man was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a woman, 35-year-old Cristina, and her unborn chiId in Missouri. The incident occurred in front of several other children, ranging in age from two to ten years old, who were present at the residence during the shooting.
According to Missouri authorities, officers responded to a call reporting a shooting at the victim’s home. Upon arrival, they found the victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, including a fatal shot to the back of the head. Medical examiners later determined that the victim was in the second trimester of her prgnancy at the time of her death, and her unborn child also did not survive the attack.
A second victim, a woman who had been staying at the residence with, was also shot but survived by playing dead. She later provided investigators with a statement, indicating that the 28-year-old shooter, Vanir, had become angry and shot the victim before asking the children where their mother was. She overheard the shooter’s inquiry while she was feigning unconsciousness.
Following his arrest, the defendant provided a witness’s name to the authorities, claiming they were together during the incident. However, the witness denied being with the shooter and reported that he had confessed to the crimes. This information further implicated the defendant in the double homicide.
After the shooting, investigators spoke with the eldest child at the hospital, who identified the defendant as the shooter. The child explained that the defendant had recently started staying at their home. The child also shared details about the events leading up to the victim’s tragic death and how they managed to avoid being harmed.
The 28-year-old man now faces a total of seventeen felony charges, including two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of first-degree child endangerment, eight counts of armed criminal action, one count of attempted murder, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm. He is currently being held without bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on May 12, 2025.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic nature of the crime and the involvement of young children as witnesses. Community members have expressed their condolences and support for the victim’s surviving children, who are now left to cope with the loss of their mother and sibling. An online fundraiser has been initiated to assist with the children’s immediate needs and future care.