“Tragic Murder-Suicide Claims Lives of Cassandra Flores and Armendariz Family”

Five people, including three children, have been found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Oklahoma City. The victims have been identified as Cassandra Flores, Hillary Armendariz, Damaris Armendariz, and Matias Armendariz. The suspect, Ruben Armendariz, died at the hospital. Police believe Ruben and Cassandra were in a relationship, and the children were their biological children. The investigation is ongoing. News On 6 reported

Five individuals have tragically lost their lives in what appears to be a murder-suicide incident that occurred on Wednesday evening, according to the Oklahoma City Police. The victims have been identified as 29-year-old Cassandra Flores, Hillary Armendariz (9 years old), Damaris Armendariz (5 years old), and Matias Armendariz (2 years old). The suspect, Ruben Armendariz, who was 28 years old, also passed away at the hospital. The shocking discovery of the deceased was made by a family member residing in a house near North Rockwell Avenue and Melrose Lane. Two of the three children and one woman were found dead at the scene, while the third child was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries. The police reported that the assailant shot the four victims before turning the firearm on himself. Despite being alive when the authorities arrived, the suspect later died during transportation to the hospital.

The relationship between the suspect, Ruben Armendariz, and the 29-year-old victim, Cassandra Flores, is believed by investigators to have been that of a romantic nature. Captain Valerie Littlejohn from the Oklahoma City Police Department stated that there were indications of a husband or boyfriend dynamic between the shooter and the victim.

Furthermore, Sgt. Gary Knight confirmed that the child victims were the biological offspring of Ruben Armendariz, the suspect.

Neighbours expressed shock and disbelief at the tragic events that unfolded. One witness recounted seeing a woman arrive at the residence and begin screaming, which quickly attracted a crowd of around 20 people in the front yard. Jennifer Johnson, a close friend of Cassandra, shared her disbelief, saying that she never expected such violence from Ruben, who had always been quiet. Johnson also mentioned that the couple had been together since Cassandra was 17 years old, indicating a long-term relationship. Another neighbour stated that they had never anticipated such a tragedy, recalling seeing the children playing in front of the house before. The neighbour, Carol Crowell, expressed her lack of understanding regarding the motive behind such acts of violence.

Authorities are currently conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident.

Domestic Violence, as defined by the Office on Violence Against Women, refers to a pattern of abusive behavior within a relationship, where one individual seeks to gain or maintain power and control over their intimate partner. This form of violence can manifest in various ways, such as physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse, and often involves behaviors that threaten, harm, isolate, manipulate, humiliate, or injure the victim. Children exposed to domestic violence face an increased risk of developing social and physical issues, as well as potentially perceiving violence as a normal aspect of life.

In terms of domestic violence statistics, Oklahoma holds the unfortunate distinction of ranking first in the country for the highest number of domestic violence cases. Additionally, the state ranks third in domestic violence-related homicides. Shockingly, in 2022, the Young Women’s Christian Association reported over 43,000 domestic violence calls in Oklahoma, leading to almost 1,000 arrests.

For those affected by domestic violence in Oklahoma, there are several resources available. The Oklahoma Domestic Violence hotline, with the number (800) 522-SAFE (7233), and the 24-hour Safeline, with the number 1-800-522-SAFE (7233), offer assistance with safety planning, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, and advocacy for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Additionally, the Abuse Hotline (1-800-522-3511) and the Elder Abuse Hotline (1-800-522-3511) provide resources for individuals seeking to escape abusive situations. A comprehensive list of Oklahoma Domestic Violence resources can be found here.

Throughout the United States, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually. Domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive an average of over 19,000 calls each year.

For those seeking national resources related to domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at (800) 799-7233, and the National Dating Abuse Helpline at (866) 331-9474 for individuals in abusive relationships. The Rape Abuse Incest National Network (800) 656-4673 provides assistance in cases of rape or incest. The StrongHearts Native Helpline (844) 762-8483 caters specifically to Native Americans impacted by domestic, dating, and sexual violence. The National Child Abuse Hotline/Childhelp (800) 422-4453 is available for children experiencing abuse or neglect, while the National Center for Elder Abuse (1-855-500-3537) assists with cases of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. A comprehensive list of national domestic violence resources can be found here..