On June 14, 2022, 15-year-old Victor Araujo-Lopez was shot and killed by his stepfather, Carlos Soto (age 51), in their apartment in Casselberry, Florida, in a murder-suicide that also claimed the lives of Victor's mother, Zuleika Lopez-Avila (age 43), and his maternal grandmother, Mileida Avila de Lopez (age 76, visiting from Venezuela). After shooting the three victims, Soto turned the gun on himself. Victor called 911 after being shot and was transported to Altamonte Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 8:30 a.m. The family had a history of unreported domestic violence, and the mother had been planning to file for divorce. Five days before the murders, on June 9, law enforcement was contacted about concerns over Soto having purchased a gun, but no threats or acts of violence were found at that time. The gun had been legally purchased on June 2 and was picked up by Soto on June 10, the day after the police visit.
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 fatality report states the child was "shot to death by the stepfather." The news article adds that "The gun was purchased legally at a gun store June 2, though Soto didn't pick it up from the store until June 10." This is clearly a firearm incident.
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 fatality report states: "the 15-year-old, mother, and maternal grandmother were shot to death by the stepfather." A gunshot wound constitutes an inflicted injury.
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?
The fatality report explicitly states: "the 15-year-old, mother, and maternal grandmother were shot to death by the stepfather in a murder/suicide." It further states: "Their case is classified as a murder/suicide." The news article's headline also reads: "Child among 4 dead in murder-suicide."
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?
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)?
The fatality report identifies Carlos Soto (age 51) as the "Stepfather" in the family composition chart and states: "the 15-year-old, mother, and maternal grandmother were shot to death by the stepfather in a murder/suicide." The news article confirms: "Investigators said they suspect Soto of shooting the other three victims — his wife, mother-in-law and stepson — before turning the gun on himself."
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?
Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?
The fatality report states: "Per extended relatives, there was a history of unreported domestic violence between them." The news article adds: "The police chief said there may have been two unreported incidents of physical domestic violence, according to witnesses." The news article also describes prior police calls including one where "the wife claimed Soto was following her because he was jealous and accusing her of infidelity," and a family member stated: "we warned her and we would always look out for her and we would actually be cautious around him."
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
Several notable systemic and policy-relevant details emerge from the source text. The news article reports that "The gun was purchased legally at a gun store June 2, though Soto didn't pick it up from the store until June 10." This is significant because on June 9, police responded to concerns about a gun in the home but confirmed Soto was not yet in possession of the firearm. The very next day, June 10, he picked it up, and four days later committed the murders. Additionally, the news article states: "Records indicate police had difficulty communicating with Zuleika Avila due to language barriers, which may have resulted in miscommunications, though a Spanish-speaking officer was later able to re-interview her and provide legal options." This language barrier issue potentially hindered the effectiveness of the June 9 police intervention. The family was from Venezuela, and the grandmother was visiting from there. The family noted they were working to raise money for funeral services and to transport bodies back to Venezuela.
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