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Four dead after gunfire at child’s birthday party

Posted at 2:26 PM, Oct 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-10-14 15:26:36-04

TAFT, Texas (AP) – Investigators say a party in South Texas to mark a toddler’s first birthday erupted in gunfire, leaving four men dead and a fifth man wounded.

The Texas Department of Public Safety says the shooting happened shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday in Taft, 12 miles (19 kilometers) north of Corpus Christi. Sgt. Nathan Brandley said an argument escalated into a deadly shooting.

Brandley says one suspect is in custody. He says a second suspect hasn’t yet been arrested.

Brandley identified those killed as 62-year-old Juan Espinoza Sr.; 20-year-old Juan Sandoval III; 22-year-old Jeremy Sandoval; and 25-year-old Nicky Sandoval.

He says the suspects and victims are distant relatives.

The wounded man, 43-year-old Juan Espinoza Jr., was airlifted to a Corpus Christi hospital. Brandley says he’s expected to survive.

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