Ind. father allegedly killed wife in front of their 2 kids on their way to photo shoot
11/08/2023 2:56 pm PST
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (TCD) -- A father stands accused of shooting his wife seven times in front of their two young children because he believed she had an affair with two different people in their neighborhood.
On Wednesday, Nov. 8, Dearborn County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens announced that her office charged Mohammed Mondal with murder, two counts of neglect of a dependent, and a felony firearm sentencing enhancement in connection with the shooting death of his wife, 40-year-old Stacy Mondal.
According to the probable cause statement, on Monday, Nov. 6, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Mohammed Mondal called his neighbor, Dearborn County Sgt. Kenneth McAllister, and allegedly said he "accidentally shot his wife" in the left arm in self-defense. Mondal reportedly sounded "panicked and upset."
Mondal drove his wife to the hospital, where law enforcement officials were already waiting. A deputy saw a GMC Yukon XL pull into the parking lot. Deputies reportedly observed Stacy Mondal "slumped" in the passenger seat with blood on her clothing and a small black handgun on the floor near her feet. The deputies carried Stacy Mondal into the hospital, where doctors and nurses administered care in the emergency room. She was pronounced dead at 12:11 p.m.
According to the probable cause statement, the suspect and victim’s two children, ages 14 months and 2 months, were in the vehicle at the time.
Outside the hospital, a deputy spoke with Mohammed Mondal, and he was reportedly "emotional and asked about the condition of his wife." The probable cause statement alleges that Mohammed Mondal told the deputy he shot his wife in self-defense and that "Stacy was going for his gun."
Mohammed Mondal reportedly told detectives that he and his wife were on their way to a J.C. Penney store for a photo shoot with their two children. He said there had been "marital problems over the last few years," and that he believed his wife had an affair with at least two men in their neighborhood. He also believed that one of the men and his father-in-law had been following him.
In the car, Mohammed Mondal and his wife allegedly began arguing and she hit him with her cellphone. The suspect reportedly told detectives that he went to grab his gun and shot his wife. Mohammed Mondal allegedly called 911 but hung up and called McAllister.
According to the probable cause statement, detectives told Mondal that his wife had died in the hospital, and he "stated for the first time that Stacy pointed the gun at him before he shot her."
Detectives interviewed Mondal again on Tuesday, Nov. 7, and he reportedly said, "I’m not the bad guy," insisting again that he shot his wife in self-defense. However, according to the probable cause statement, there was no evidence that the victim fired a handgun in the car.
The probable cause statement said an autopsy revealed the victim sustained seven gunshot wounds, and bullets struck her heart, lungs, and liver.
Mohammed Mondal is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing on Thursday, Nov. 9.
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