Mother of three shot and killed by boyfriend, suspect claims it was accidental
ROSTRAVER TOWNSHIP (KDKA) - A South Carolina man is behind bars after police said he shot his girlfriend overnight.
Robert Chaplin was highly intoxicated on Wednesday night when he claimed to have accidentally shot his girlfriend, Estela Vasquez. It happened all the while her children were inside the home and were witnesses to it all.
They called 911 late on Wednesday night while hiding inside a closet after their mother was shot.
According to police, Chaplin told investigators arriving on the scene, "Give me some respect, it was an accident" and later went on to say, "We were having a [conversation] with one another and the gun went off accidentally."
Vasquez was found on the basement floor with a gunshot wound to her chest. She was taken to the hospital where she ultimately died.
Her family was at her home on Thursday collecting her things and said Chaplin, Vasquez, and her children - ages 11, 13, and 17 - moved into the home three months ago.
They said she was a the home's provider, a hard worker, and a good woman. Her brother said that she moved to the United States seven years ago to get away from an abusive relationship and met Chaplin about a year ago.
She had been working at Sarris Candies since September and the chocolate shop said they hired Chaplin but Chaplin was later let go after having issues.
Sarris said she was a fantastic worker who showed up each day and went by the name "Abbey."
Now, her family wants justice. Vazquez's children are now being cared for by her relatives.
Chaplin was arraigned Thursday morning and denied bail.
