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Documents: 4 children of Shelby County woman told neighbor their stepfather killed their mother

According to an arrest affidavit, Barahona's neighbor called 911 saying four children ran out of their home on Doogivulle Loop in Joaquin saying their mom was dead.

SHELBY COUNTY, Texas — Arrest documents show the four young children of the Shelby County woman who was shot to death Wednesday ran to their neighbor's house saying their stepfather killed their mother. 

Carlos Caporali Manuels, 32, of Joaquin, is charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Yuri Diana Barahona, of Joaquin, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said. 

According to an arrest affidavit, Barahona's neighbor called 911 saying four children (ages 10, 9, 7 and 6) ran out of their home on Doogivulle Loop in Joaquin saying their mom was dead and their stepdad killed her. 

The kids identified Manuels as their stepdad, the affidavit said. A deputy later found Barahona dead on the bathroom floor, and she was wearing only a black shirt, according to the document. 

Barahona had two gunshot wounds just above her left eye. The deputy also learned Manuels fled the scene when the children found their mother dead, the affidavit read.

In the residence, deputies also found two empty Bud Light beer cans - one in the master bedroom trash can and another in the bathroom trash can, according to the document. 

Manuels was later arrested Wednesday evening in Tyler.

Investigators started searching for Manuels upon hearing that he packed up and fled the scene. Then, around 2 p.m., Tyler police officers found Manuels'  1998 Chevrolet S-10 abandoned at the intersection of Valentine and N. Spring Avenue in Tyler. 

Just before 6 p.m., Manuels called Smith County 911 saying he had been shot and was in need of medical care. 

In a video from shared by the son of a local store owner, police officers coming into the store and arresting Manuels can be seen around 7 p.m. 

The man said he noticed blood running from Manuels' cheek and recognized him from photos shared by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. 

"I asked him if he needed a ambulance but then I just called 911 and asked if they caught the guy. They told me no and I told them I might have him here with me," the man said. "He looked like he was gonna pass out his left side was swollen and had blood running down his cheek. (He) was walking slow and limping."

Manuels was taken to a Tyler hospital for his injuries and it was determined injuries to his face were from a pellet gun, the sheriff's office said. 

Shelby County investigators went to the hospital to interview Manuels. After getting released from the hospital, he was taken to the Smith County Jail on a murder charge. He is now in the Shelby County Jail awaiting arraignment, officials said.

According to the sheriff's office, a family member is looking after Barahona’s children.

"We extend our condolences to the Barahona family. You are in our thoughts and prayers," the sheriff's office said.

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