Mother Accused of Shooting 7-Year-Old Son While Aiming at Boyfriend Has Long History of Alleged Abuses

An Albuquerque mother who allegedly shot her 7-year-old son in the head on Thursday while targeting her boyfriend had a history of alleged abuses, including an incident involving a handgun with children in the backseat of her car.

Davona Chavez, 27, was arrested Friday morning after she allegedly shot her boyfriend and critically injured her son while aiming at the man, according to the police, local news station KRQE News reported.

“The mother apparently fired a round at the boyfriend, there was some sort of domestic violence incident, unfortunately, the round went through his leg and impacted the child and that’s when the child was critically injured,” Gilbert Gallegos, the communications director at the Albuquerque Police Department, told the news outlet.

The bullet passed through the man’s leg and struck her son in the head. 

The 27-year-old told the police that she had an argument with her boyfriend over cheating accusations, according to KRQE News. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that at some point during their argument the man became violent at their home. 

Chavez then hid with other relatives in a bedroom, where her boyfriend’s firearms were placed, and reportedly warned him that she would call the police if entered the room. But, the man came into the room, anyways, with his hands raised, and Chavez then shot him.

The woman’s son remains in critical condition at the hospital, while the boyfriend, who fled the house, was found and taken for medical treatment. It remains unknown whether the boyfriend will face any charges.

The police also found 200 blue pills believed to be fentanyl with around $10,000 when they came to the house, according to KRQE News.

“A real tragedy in that case as well, this 7-year-old was put in harm’s way,” said Gallegos. 

Chavez has been previously accused of endangering children, court records showed, according to KRQE News. In March 2018, she was arrested for allegedly drinking and using a gun that she had in her car, while three children were in the back seat. It is unclear whether or not someone was shot, but the case was dismissed after two witnesses didn’t appear in court.

In another incident in 2019, Chavez was charged with stabbing her then-boyfriend in the hand after arguing with him while at least one child was present. This case was also dismissed.

Chavez has been detained without bail Friday morning in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Bernalillo County over charges of child abuse and trafficking controlled substances stemming from the Thursday shooting, according to jail records. 

The Messenger reached out to the Albuquerque Police Department’s spokesperson for additional information.