Two people are dead in what Helotes police are calling a murder-suicide at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church on Wednesday afternoon.
It was the church janitor who heard the popping sounds and called 911 at around 3:10 p.m. Wednesday. Several police cars were quickly on the scene, and yellow crime scene tape was stretched across the front entryway of the church.
Police said they were found close to each other near the altar. A gun was also there with them.
Detectives said it appears 51-year-old Manuel Rodriguez shot his girlfriend, 54-year-old Zeferina Castillo several times, then turned the gun on himself.
Helotes Elementary School was on lockdown for a short time after the shooting.
A regularly scheduled Bible class for kids was canceled for the evening. Parishioners heard the shocking news as they showed up to find out the class was canceled.
“That is shocking to say the least. I wouldn’t expect that here,” said parishioner Francis Galan.
