BAYTOWN, Texas – The man accused of shooting and killing his wife in Baytown waved to KPRC 2 cameras Tuesday morning before he faced a judge for the first time.
Elrey Gonzalez also gave the thumbs up sign before learning he was charged with capital murder.
Baytown police said Gonzalez, a registered sex offender, chased his wife, 41-year-old Elva Gonzalez, out of her home and shot and killed her on the front lawn in front of officers.
One of the officers' shots grazed Elrey Gonzalez, who was taken to the hospital.
Elrey's brother, Dennis Gonzalez, said Elrey and Elva married less than a year ago, but Elrey recently moved out and believed she was cheating on him.
"It's just not the type of woman she is. It's not in her character to do things like that. She loved him. She really, really truly loved my brother," said Dennis Gonzalez. "She was a godsend for my brother."
Neighbors who knew the couple said they had been having serious marital problems.
Elva Gonzalez had two children, ages 16 and 21. Police said the children were at home during the shooting. Both were unharmed.
Elrey Gonzalez, 39, is being held without bond.
He has a criminal history including being convicted of sexual assault of a child in 2005, and failure to comply as a a sex offender in 2012.