...
By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
A Texas man reportedly searched on Google "Can I kill an illegal human" before allegedly murdering his fiancé, according to a criminal complaint from local law enforcement.
The Context
Ty Vaughn, 31, has been charged with murder in connection with the death of 27-year-old Luis Banos Norberto in January. According to the criminal complaint, Vaughn is alleged to have shot Norberto in the face and then attempted to stage the scene to make it appear as a suicide.
Read More on News
The incident occurred on January 14 at an apartment complex in Baytown, near Houston.
...
What To Know
Court documents reveal that Vaughn, who was arrested on Saturday, told investigators he had been arguing with Norberto before returning home to find him dead.
However, after authorities viewed surveillance video and interviewed neighbors, they found a different story.
Local news station ABC13 Eyewitness News obtained an arrest affidavit that provides more details about the allegations against Vaughn. He claimed he came home shortly after 5:30 a.m. to find Norberto dead, however the affidavit revealed that surveillance video showed Vaughn returning home shortly after 4 a.m. At 4:05 a.m., the 31-year-old was seen walking up the stairs to his apartment, and two neighbors reported hearing a gunshot shortly afterward. At 4:27 a.m., Vaughn texted Norberto, who police say was already dead: "Babe? Babe why are you not texting back?!?!"
Then, 93 minutes after the murder, at 5:38 a.m., Vaughn called 911 and reportedly said, "My spouse is dead. Help. My life is over."
Officers found Norberto's body lying on a bed, with a lever-action rifle resting against his arm and a torn-up picture of him and Vaughn nearby, according to the affidavit.
Detectives observed that Vaughn repeatedly referred to Norberto as an undocumented immigrant. During a search of his phone, they reportedly discovered a Google search for the phrase, "Can I kill an illegal human."
Before being named a suspect in Norberto's death, Eyewitness News spoke with Vaughn on the phone on February 4.
When asked if he had spoken to Norberto on the day of the murder, he replied, "I don't know. The police know all the details."
Eyewitness News then inquired what the police have told him about the case, and he responded, "I don't know. I've been kind of not great. I haven't really been going to police looking for answers."
When ABC13 offered condolences, he simply stated, "I mean, it is what it is."
According to Norberto's obituary, he was born in Guerrero, Mexico, and many of his family members now live in Baytown.
What Happens Next?
Vaughn is currently at the Harris County Jail, with his bond set at $500,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines