On July 10, 2022, Tony Louis Valez, 66, of Helena, Montana, flew into a rage after believing two women had come to the house to evict him. He grabbed a gun from his bedroom and began shooting, first striking his partner Heather Hall until she fell to the ground, then firing at his 18-year-old son. He missed his son, and instead struck his 8-year-old daughter Arianna Valez in the back as she was trying to run from the gunfire on the back deck. The bullet caused her to fall off the deck, and she was rushed to the hospital where she was pronounced dead. Valez pleaded guilty to one count of deliberate homicide and was sentenced to 100 years in prison.
Contexts/Conditions
Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?
Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?
Is there any mention of a firearm incident?
The People article explicitly describes a firearm incident: "He grabbed a gun from his bedroom and began shooting." He shot his partner, then fired at his son, and one of those bullets struck and killed 8-year-old Arianna.
Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?
Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)
The People article states Valez "shot his daughter in the back as she was trying to run from the gunfire." Arianna was struck by a bullet while standing on the back deck.
Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?
Is there any mention of medical neglect?
Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?
Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?
Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?
Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?
Is there any mention of sexual abuse?
Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?
Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?
Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?
Individuals Involved
Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?
Was a biological father involved in the death?
The People article describes Arianna as "his 8-year-old daughter" (referring to Tony Valez) and identifies Heather Hall as "Arianna's mother" and Valez's "partner." Tony Valez is the one who shot and killed Arianna. The shared surname and family context strongly indicate he is the biological father.
Was a biological mother involved in the death?
Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?
Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?
Was a foster parent involved in the death?
Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?
Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)
Was a sibling involved in the death?
Child Characteristics
Was the child adopted?
Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?
Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?
Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?
Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)
Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)
Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?
Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?
Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?
Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?
Parent/Caregiver Factors
Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?
The People article states: "Valez was arrested on July 10, 2022, after he killed his 8-year-old daughter." He "pleaded guilty to one count of deliberate homicide" and was "sentenced to 100 years in prison."
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The People article describes Valez shooting his partner Heather Hall: "He told police he shot his partner, Heather Hall, until she fell to the ground." This constitutes domestic violence by the parent/caregiver. He then began shooting at his 18-year-old son as well.
Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?
Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?
Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?
Notable Details
The People article details several notable circumstances: Valez's intended targets were his partner (Heather Hall) and his 18-year-old son — not Arianna. He killed Arianna unintentionally while firing at others. The trigger for the shooting was Valez's belief that "two women had come to the house to evict him." Additionally, Valez pleaded guilty to one count of deliberate homicide as part of a plea agreement that reduced the original charges of deliberate homicide, two counts of attempted deliberate homicide, and criminal endangerment. The judge specifically noted: "I just can't believe being evicted would justify picking up a handgun in that small of a space with children present." Valez will be eligible for parole at age 91.
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