Hospital Turns Into War Zone After New Father Opens Fire
36m 58s
The narrative unfolds in two distinct but connected threads: one a poetic reflection on the gradual arrival of fall, symbolizing how life’s moments and relationships naturally align over time; the other a harrowing account of violence, failure, and human consequence in a Dallas hospital. The story begins with a serene metaphor of seasonal change, only to shift into a real-life tragedy when Nestor Hernandez, a man on parole, enters a hospital room with a concealed gun, believing his partner Selena has been unfaithful. After a heated argument, he attacks her, fatally shooting nurse Jackie Piqua, and injuring others. Sergeant Robert Rangel, responding to the gunfire, intervenes by shooting Hernandez in the leg, preventing further harm. The event results in a criminal conviction and life sentence for Hernandez, who shows no remorse. Selena, though injured and traumatized, survives. The aftermath highlights the profound loss to the victims’ families, the heroism of first responders, and the long-term impact on those involved. The narrative contrasts the gentle rhythm of life’s small joys with the sudden, devastating consequences of personal failure, substance abuse, and unchecked anger. Amid the tragedy, the message remains clear: life, like fall, is not sudden, but built through layers of connection, choice, and care—something that is lost when ignored or destroyed.
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what happened okay watch out man watch out
a man with a gun up here for sure okay listen we can work this out partner okay
all i want to do is just get the people outside please
it was a beautiful
saturday in dallas texas when the nightmare of all calls went out to police officers in the
bustling city there was an active shooter at the methodist dallas medical center gunfire had been
exchanged between a man and hospital police in the mother and child ward of the building
multiple casualties were reported the suspect was within one of the rooms and it looked as
if a hostage situation could be developing join us as we look into the violence the loss and the
sacrifice and heroism of that
let's start a bit earlier and take a look at the young couple as a pair they had been on again off
again partners for almost eight years nestor oswaldo hernandez and selena villatoro had met
in 2014 nestor had just served a two-year stint in prison for simple robbery the two hit it off
and she kind of fell into his lifestyle a year later the pair would be arrested for and convicted
of aggravated robbery the robbery involved a woman who
ended up with her hands taped together her eyes taped shut and her car being stolen along with
three thousand dollars in cash she had been collecting at a fundraising event the couple
would be caught later still driving the woman's car and still holding on to a number of the victim's
possessions the two were intoxicated and selena would admit that earlier in the evening she had
injected heroin each of the two would plead guilty to robbery charges with nestor getting eight years
and selena getting a five-year sentence
selena would get out of prison first followed a year later by nestor who was paroled just six years
into his sentence the two would rekindle their rocky relationship and selena would get pregnant
nestor would have a couple of issues during his parole once getting into a vehicle accident that
was his fault and the second time more seriously was caught trying to cut off the ankle monitor he
was required to wear still even with those violations nestor remained out on parole on the
morning of his new son's birth he was given special permission by the parole officer to
visit selena and the child at the hospital texas law requires that a parolee get permission to
visit another felon the hospital police department was also notified that he would be visiting
that morning nestor would get dressed up hop into his suv and head over to the hospital after getting
lost for a bit he stopped at a convenience store and bought a 24-ounce can of steel reserve spiked
watermelon malt liquor he would enter the hospital carrying the open can but that wasn't all he was
carrying concealed upon his body was a small 380 smith and wesson guardian pistol as a convicted
felon and someone on parole he should not have been in possession of a firearm and in no way
was it legal for him to enter the hospital with that weapon and yet he did both as if it was
nothing even stopping at the nurse's station to use hand sanitizer and to pick up a face mask before
going into selena's room in short order the volatile and intoxicated nestor would begin
arguing then fighting with selena who had just given birth a short time before during the
argument nestor would pistol whip selena across the head and neck a number of times and then
healthcare worker jackie paqua would open the door and enter the room as part of her regular rounds
checking on new mothers and their babies a shot works out muffled by the heavy door leading into
the hospital room out in the hall sergeant robert wrangell was waiting to speak to another family
who had reported some items missing from their belongings his body cam recorder had been turned
on as part of a procedure to take the report from them he turns and all hell breaks loose
Nester apparently decides to make a break for it and tries to leave the room.
Sergeant Rangel fires once, striking Nester in the leg.
All I could see was a black pistol.
You see it right now?
No, no.
He walked in the room.
I actually, he was coming out.
But if he had the gun in his hand, I shot one time and he went back in the room.
Sergeant Rangel knows that there are still people in the room, as well as almost every
other room on this floor.
There are medical workers trying desperately to save the life of a nurse who went past
him and countless others in harm's way.
He has to negotiate, delay, and keep the shooter engaged in anything except more gunfire.
Okay, listen, we can work this out, partner, okay?
Okay.
All we have to do is just get the people outside, please.
Thanks to Sergeant Rangel's quick call to dispatch and numerous 911 calls, police have
already started to arrive at the scene.
Over the next few minutes, more than a dozen officers will begin flocking to the hospital,
heading upstairs to the Schenkel Tower on the fourth floor.
Everybody's on it?
Holy shit, no, I'm not.
Thank you.
We're over 40 and we're in the fourth floor.
Hey, where did you hear the shootings?
5-0-4-40 repeat, you're breaking up.
Stand by.
Adonde? Adonde?
Allá para su lado.
Allá para su lado.
Hey, where's it at? Where's it at?
It's right here.
Where?
That way, that way, that way.
Bravo 440, I'm going to need to chill on the fourth floor.
Third room will come right.
Bravo 440, does anybody have a 40 millimeter?
I'm going to need a shield.
Yeah, and a shield.
Where's the shield?
Right here.
Hey, is he up there?
Just cover him, just cover him, just cover him.
Hey, do we have eyes on that guy?
Walk out with your hands up, walk out with your hands up!
Move up, move up, move up.
I'm on the side, I'm on the side.
I'm on the side.
Hey, hey, go to the right-hand side. Hey, this unit needs to come to the right. Hey, get some cover. Hey, does this wrap around? Does it wrap around?
The officers need to find a way to flank Nestor's position in the room, but the hospital was designed for efficiency and privacy of the patients.
Adrenaline is running high as it becomes apparent that there is only one way in or out of where Nestor is located.
They are going to have to go through that door and try to incapacitate him before he can harm anyone else.
The breaching team moves into position.
All right. You see where that sergeant's at? I don't know if you can keep an eye on him.
Who has the 40-millimeter? Hey, stand by. Hey, leave the slammer. Leave the slammer. Stay light. We'll call it up. We'll call up the slammer if we need it.
Slow it down, guys. Slow it down. Slow it down.
Hey, Sarge, get out of the way. Sarge, move it. Sarge, come here.
Do you see him? He's falling down.
Nestor. Okay, get the female out first.
Female, come. Okay, get the lady out. Get the female out.
Where are you?
I don't have a female. Come on out.
Come out, man. Come out.
Rest team. I'll be a rest team.
Come out of the room right now. Come out of the room.
Get gloves on. Get gloves on.
Let's go.
Keep your hands where you can feel.
Come on! Come on!
I'm plugged in! I'm trying to!
Keep your hands by your sides!
He doesn't have no guns!
Get out of the way!
Can you move, ma'am?
I'm trying!
Let's move in. Here are my cuffs.
Cuff the guy first.
All right, guys. Ready?
Rifles move past. Rifles move past him.
He's not shooting! He's not shooting!
He's not shooting!
He's not shooting!
Hey, does this room connect?
No, no, it does not.
I need one nurse.
One nurse!
Okay, at least we need a surgeon or something, okay?
That's one of the suspects.
Okay.
Okay, let's get out of the way.
Okay, let's go, let's go, let's go, let's go.
Bravo 440, we have a suspect in custody.
Stark P.E.S. and Stark, homicide as well.
Coming out, coming out, guys, coming out.
All right, get him down.
Hey!
They are able to bring the baby out, as well as Nestor, both alive.
The child is miraculously unharmed.
Nurse! Nurse!
Let's get him out first. Stand by.
Yeah, nurse.
Come out, come out, guys, come out.
Hey, whose car is he going to be placed in?
Okay.
Hey! Hey!
Hey!
Hey, which leg?
Bravo 440, we're going to need to shut down the entire fourth floor labor and delivery.
Entrance to the fourth floor.
Up top, up top, up top.
All the way up top. All the way up top.
All the way up top.
All the way up top.
Let's move this out of the way so they can get to him.
Hey, officer down, can you look at the officer down key?
Yeah, I got one.
Here, here.
Hey, do me a favor. Let's secure this.
What do you all need?
I got a quick clock.
Somebody, somebody with a shear.
Somebody with a shear.
There's nothing.
There's nothing.
I just want to confirm it's suspect in custody.
Call that suspect in custody at 11:20.
Browson, you're making the calls.
In the aftermath, it becomes a race to make sure that the mother and child are unhurt
and that Nestor has been taken into emergency surgery.
No matter what the man did, the medical team will do their best to try to save his life.
The weight of their two co-workers lays over the entire team
as Jackie lies dead in the room
and Katie Annette was unable to be saved from the mortal wound she had received.
Police now have to contend with protecting the crime scene
while workers continue to relocate other patients and their families
that had been trapped on the floor during the shootout and siege.
Downstairs, the hospital entrances have been sealed off by police
and the building is on lockdown and in emergency mode.
Doctors with special skills in emergency medicine
from all over the facility are being called to assist in the emergency rooms.
It's not just doctors and nurses headed to the ER
but police officers from the hospital's own department and the city police force.
They stand guard to make sure that no one else will fall into the teeth of this day.
Nestor goes into emergency care for the gunshot wound.
Fall never arrives all at once.
First the air, then the light,
and slowly the things you love begin to find each other.
A jacket meets a dress.
A hoodie slips beneath a blazer.
An old cap finds a new scarf.
Because you don't simply step into the season.
You create it, layer by layer,
until it finally feels like fall.
Find fall your way at Ross.
All right, clean your arms a little bit.
Press your back.
Two, three.
Hello!
Stop!
Yes, because you lost fall. Stop.
I have your phone in my pocket.
Thank you.
Take that NSRLR.
Thank you.
Back upstairs, the homicide detectives have arrived
and forensic teams aren't far behind.
They've got a lot of work ahead of them
to secure the scene,
move people out of the rooms past it,
and to attempt to protect the dignity
of the victims of this crime.
At some point, what they do here
could be brought into court
and even the smallest error in their work
could mean the difference in the outcome of the trial.
And then it's over, at least for now.
The police officers return back to their duties
or go to make out the necessary reports.
The hospital staff has to keep caring for their patients,
including the one who killed two of their own.
And the city of Dallas is now getting wind
of what happened that day.
In Dallas, a defined active shooter
inside a Dallas hospital.
Two medical workers inside Methodist Dallas Medical Center
are dead, both killed by a lone gunman
who entered the North Oak Cliff Hospital
earlier this morning.
Police telling us that the person
who shot and killed those workers has been caught.
The families of Jackie and Annette
would be receiving calls and visits
with the terrible news
that they had lost someone they loved deeply
and who had done so much for the people of Dallas
throughout their lives.
Nestor Hernandez would remain at the Methodist Hospital
for four days, recovering from the gunshot wound
to his leg before being transferred
to holding to await trial.
He would return to a jail cell,
clad in a hospital gown
and using a walker to move around.
It would take almost two years
before he saw his day in court.
Selena Villatoro would also testify
along with Sergeant Robert Rangel,
who by this time had been recognized for valor
by the state of Texas for his actions on that day.
Selena would be asked how Nestor was acting
when he first came into the hospital room.
I thought he was just drunk.
That's why he was like being sentimental.
Like I didn't really think nothing of it.
Did he appear to you to be drunk or intoxicated at that time?
Oh, yes, sir.
What was it about him
that made you feel like he was intoxicated?
I mean, just the way he was talking.
Just, he was crying talking to me.
She would explain that when Nestor drank,
he would often get sentimental and cry.
This time, though, he shifted quickly
from sadness to anger and jealousy.
I feel I guess he gets done talking to them.
I think I hear like the doors
like from the closets opening.
Like he's like opening the closet door,
slamming them.
And then next thing I know,
he like throws the like the little sliding like this
that they have right there.
He throws it and then he like hits me
in my head with the gun.
He was like, he was hitting me like just, I don't know.
I think he told me like who's here
or something like that.
She would go on to say
that prior to him throwing the table,
she had accidentally knocked over his beer,
spilling it everywhere.
He became angry and she pulled the sheet
over her head as he raged.
So he indicated that you had the sheet over your head
and he began to hit you in the head with the gun.
Is that correct?
Yes, sir.
Did you know when he had entered the hospital
and specifically into your room
that he had a gun at that point?
No, no, sir.
Did you see where he pulled the gun from?
No, no, sir.
Okay.
You just felt him hitting you with the gun?
Yes, sir.
Do you recall how many times
he struck you with the gun?
I think the first time just once.
Just once.
Okay.
Is he making any statements
while this is happening?
Is he saying anything to you?
I think he was just like saying like
that he had told me to stop playing with him
and he was just telling me stuff like
that we're gonna die today.
Just, I mean.
Selena would suffer a laceration to her head
from the pistol whipping
as well as bruising to her neck.
The pistol, a small and easily concealed one,
was lightweight and probably contributed
to the relatively small amount of damage
she took in the assault.
So just going back to when the defendant
is assaulting you with the gun,
he's hitting you with the gun
and he's making these statements
about killing you all
and killing anybody else
who comes inside the room.
Was the door open or closed at that time?
Do you remember?
It was closed.
It was closed.
Okay.
And so at some point
did somebody else come inside the room
while Mr. asked to go?
Oh, yes, sir.
Okay.
Who was that?
One of the nurses, though.
I think she was supposed to come in
and check on me or something.
Okay.
She came in and
that's when Mr. walked up
and went behind her and shot her.
Okay.
Jackie fell over backwards
and died almost immediately
after being shot.
She may have never known
that she was in any danger.
Let's move over to the testimony
offered by Nestor at this moment.
In his own story prior to this,
Prior to this, he had said that he thought Selena had been cheating on him and was wondering
if someone had been hiding in the room.
He explained that he had the pistol on him at the time because he had made arrangements
with someone to sell it later in the day.
He said that he had come to the hospital at her request to sign the birth certificate.
Tell the jury what happened once you got inside that room that changed the whole situation.
Could you tell them what took place?
Okay, well I walked in, my son, he was asleep in the bassinet, I went in and I rubbed his
belly, I was like, "Hey little man," you know, and so I went and I walked into the restroom,
I used the restroom, I walked out, I proceeded to walk out, I start looking for the gun,
you know what I mean?
I started looking for the gun, she was like, "What you looking for?"
I said, "The gun."
And she was like, "Why?"
And I said, "I got it sold."
I said, "I talked to the dude last night, he wants to buy it."
And so she's like, "What you looking for?"
And I was like, "All right," and so, I'm on my phone also, you know what I'm saying?
Like she said, she said sentimental, I don't want to say I'm sentimental, I'm more expressionate
or something.
You know, I like telling people that, you know, I love them and stuff, you know, I'll
drink a little bit or do some drugs, I'm like, "Hey man, you know, I love you man, you know,
I'm glad you're in my life," type of thing.
You know, you got the aggressive people and then you got the lovers, I guess, or whatever.
So when you're sitting there having this conversation, could you tell the jury what it was that made
her start pulling the blanket over her head and refusing to talk to you?
I don't recall her putting the blanket over her head.
You don't recall her pulling the blanket over her head?
No, I don't.
What do you recall happening when you were having this conversation with her?
I ended up sitting down and I was like, "Man, get the gun," and stuff.
And so I was like, "So I'm about to sign this birth certificate in the league," and so I'm
texting.
And so my brother called me and I talked to him briefly, my nieces and stuff.
Well, we started talking, she kind of talked to me, I was like, "Shut the fuck up, don't
talk to me," you know what I'm saying, "Woo-woo," and she's like, "Oh, no," she started, she's
like, "Man, you're drinking," and "Woo-woo-woo," and I was like, "Man, I don't want to hear
it, man," I was saying, "I ain't been drinking like that," and she's like, "No, you're drinking,
woo-woo," and I was like, "Man, you're drinking," and she's like, "No, you're drinking, woo-woo,"
I was like, "Shut up."
I was like, "Don't even talk to me."
She was like, "Nah, you're not supposed to be in here
drinking, woo."
I was like, "Don't nobody even know this is a beer.
It looks like an Arizona or something."
And she was like, "Nah, man."
She's like, "Man, they're gonna come in here
and see you or whatever."
And so I was like, "Man."
I was like, "Bro, don't even talk to me, bro."
I said, "Yeah, you really nasty."
And she was like, "What you mean nasty?"
I said, "Yeah, you really nasty."
You know what I'm saying?
She was like, "What?"
And I said, "Man, I said, man, my shit hurt, bro.
I'ma just sign this birth certificate and I'm finna leave.
I'm just gonna make a nigga my ass."
- Nestor would then tell the court
he told Selena that he knew she had cheated on him
because he had contracted a sexually transmitted disease
and it had to come from her.
- And so she's like, "Man."
She's like, "Nah, man."
She's like, "I ain't fucking nobody," and dah, dah, dah.
And so she gets on her phone, you know what I'm saying?
I'm like, "Yeah, you need to tell whoever
you've been fucking with that you got this shit.
You passing out this shit."
- So what are you talking about?
- I never had an STD before, before that.
So, I mean, I knew there was something wrong.
I didn't know exactly what it was.
- Why would you say you knew something wrong?
- When I urinate, when I urinate, it hurts, yeah.
- So y'all start, so you're talking about her
messing with somebody else, telling her that she needs
to tell people that she's probably giving them STDs too?
- Yeah, I don't know.
'Cause she ended up getting on the phone.
I was like, "You needn't be calling them people
and letting them know you're passing out that shit."
- And what happened as a result of this conversation?
- You say what happened to the result?
- Tell me what happened next
after y'all were having this conversation.
- Oh, the nurse, she walks in.
So she walks in and Selena, she gets up and she's like,
"Hey, I need you to use the restroom."
So when she gets up, I get up with her.
- You can see how Nestor began to craft his story
and his lack of personal responsibility
as it continues to grow.
- Are you talking about the woman
that ended up getting shot?
- Yes, sir.
- Okay.
So you guys are having this conversation, it's going on.
Up to that point in time, had you ever threatened
that you were gonna kill Selena or?
- No, sir, no, no, sir.
- Did you ever threaten to Selena
that you were gonna kill anybody coming in that room?
- No.
- Did you have any intention of harming anyone?
- No, I didn't.
- Tell the jury what happened.
And you just described that you got to the point
where the nurse came in the room,
Selena wants to go to the restroom.
Tell the jury what happened next.
- Well, she gets up and I get up with her
and she's walking.
No, when the nurse came in, she said, you know,
"Good afternoon" or "Good evening."
And I said it back and Selena gets up and she's like,
"I need you to use the restroom."
She had told the nurse, "I need you to use the restroom."
But I got up with her and so I was like,
"Why you need to go to the restroom with your phone?"
And she's like, "Because. "
And then the nurse asked, "Is everything okay?"
And I was like, "Yeah, everything's okay."
And then she said, "No, it's not."
She's like, "I don't want him here.
This ain't even his baby."
So I slapped her.
So when I slapped her, the nurse was like, "Oh."
And so then Selena hit me and we got into like,
whenever I got up, I had the pistol on me too.
You know what I'm saying?
She ended up, before that, Selena handed me the pistol.
And so I had the pistol
right here, it's a little pistol.
So when I got up, I got up holding it too.
And she hit me.
And so, you know, I kind of like, you know,
I had the pistol in my hand.
I don't think the nurse knew I had the pistol in my hand.
And so we got into like a little bra or whatever.
And that's when I, you know, I hit her.
I ended up hitting her with the pistol.
And that's when the nurse, the nurse, she was like, "Stop."
She got in between us.
And my shirt, the black shirt that I had on,
it was already kind of like over me.
It was already like,
'cause she was like putting on the shirt too.
And so the gun went off.
That's what, that's what.
- And who was pulling on your shirt?
- Selena.
The nurse tried to stop the fight.
She got in between us and she yelled, "Stop."
She's like, "Stop."
And next thing you know, the gun went off.
And we stopped, everything slowed down.
I was kind of confused for a little bit.
And the first thing that Selena said,
she was like, "What did you do?"
You know what I'm saying?
And I was like, "No, man, it's your fault.
"This is your fault."
You know what I'm saying?
And the nurse, she was kind of like leaning forward
and then she ended up falling back.
- Did you intentionally shoot this nurse or?
- No, no, no, no.
- Nestor would claim
that he did not point the gun at Jackie.
He would contend that the gun just went off
and that she was an unintended victim.
He was then asked what happened next.
What was his explanation for the shootings that would follow?
- What's the next thing
that you recall happening at that time?
- I panicked.
I panicked.
I was like, shit, shit, shit, shit.
And Selena, she started screaming.
She was like, "Oh, man," I don't know.
I couldn't even understand what she was saying.
And I opened up the door and I shot.
I opened up the door with my right hand.
I opened up the door and I shot out the door.
Boom, boom, twice.
I shot out the door twice.
- Did you see anybody outside the door
when you shot?
- No, I didn't even look outside.
I just shot.
- What was the purpose of that?
- I was so panicked.
I just shot somebody, you know what I mean?
I was just, I was real panicked.
It was like, how can I say this?
Like an example would be like if my mom
or like somebody's mom has like a favorite coffee mug
that she drinks coffee with every morning
and you drop it and you break it.
And when you broke it, you panic.
You're like, oh, and your mom was like, "Hey, what was that?"
So you don't want her to see, you know what I mean?
Like you don't want her to see.
You just panic.
And I tried to like, I guess make another distraction
or something.
I wasn't just really just, I wasn't thinking right.
I just wasn't.
No, I didn't even see the sick nurse in the hallway.
- It doesn't matter whether he saw Annette Flowers
in the hallway.
His bullets struck her anyway
and her life began bleeding away
as the man became more desperate and frantic.
- So I went back, you know, the nurse laying on the floor,
you know what I'm saying?
She's screaming.
I'm like, oh my gosh.
And so it's all hectic.
I'm kind of panicking, you know what I'm saying?
I'm like, man, I'm like, shit, shit, shit.
And so I, Selena, she said, "Get help."
And so I turned around.
I, when I turned around, I walked out the door.
I tried to walk out the door.
I felt the heat just through my leg.
Boom.
And I stepped back.
I jumped back into, I jumped back into the room
and I looked down and I was like, they shot me.
- And then, in his testimony,
Nestor would show the kind of person he really was.
- By now, Selena has the baby.
She had grabbed the baby at this time.
And she's holding the baby.
And I'm like, hey, give me the baby, give me the baby.
And she was like, no, no.
And I'm like, give me the baby, man.
I was like, man, give me the baby, man.
Give me the baby, put him in the crib.
'Cause the crib, the bassinet is by the restroom.
And so I'm thinking, I was like, man,
they're about to come in here and start shooting, man.
They're about to shoot us.
And she's like, she's like, no, no, no.
I wanted to put them in the bassinet and put them
the restroom because I was like man they about to come in they already shot me they about to come
in and start shooting I started feeling the pain at first I didn't feel the pain but now I'm feeling
it I'm like oh I'm saying oh yeah so I went around the bed I don't know if I if I sat down in the
closet or I sat down in front of the closet and uh I was like shit and uh Serena's like she's
steady screaming she's steady screaming and uh she's like what the fuck what the fuck
this lady she right there I was like man I was like man I was like man shut up I was like shut
up shut up shut up so I'm like I'm I'm I'm sitting there and I'm like man I said man I'm about just
to go out there I'm just let him kill me man I said I and she was like what I said I was like
I'm not going back I'm not going back and I was like I'm not gonna spend the rest of my life in
jail and yet he would give himself up would he have used the baby as a
shield to protect himself from the police and the police would have used the baby as a shield
thankfully he was never given a chance as the police would swarm into the room and immediately
incapacitate him Selena was left screaming in the room the bassinet nearby covered in blood
on the stand Sergeant Rangel would offer his own take on what happened that day he explained that
he happened to be on the floor that day at the time for a completely unrelated matter and just
happened to be a couple of doors down when the shooting started when it first rang out he said
it sounded exactly like what he said it sounded exactly like what he said it sounded exactly
like a light bulb had popped somewhere but the next two shots fired out the door of the room left
no doubt as to what happened he saw the wounded nurse come by blood drops on the floor and moved
into position where he had a better angle and a very slight amount of cover and then Nestor tried
to emerge from the room at that point it's kind of like time it so really slow down probably hadn't
but it's kind of like time and so really slow down and probably hadn't but it's kind of like
at that time I had already made a decision within myself that a nurse had been shot and I only knew
about one at that time and I told myself I'm the only I'm the only one up here right now I would
told myself I'm the only one up here right now I would have a glance to see if McRail or Jaime
had made their way up to the floor but at that point he hadn't so my mind is telling me if he
comes out of the room empty-handed I'm gonna tell me you know keep his hands up and get up on the
floor and I told myself if he came out with a pistol I'm gonna tell him to you know keep his hands up and get up on the floor and I told myself if he came out with a pistol
I only had one option and that was to make sure that he didn't get out past the
room with a gun when he when I saw him he he was looking out of the room he had
the pistol and I fired one time at his leg
because I fired at that time cuz I feared for my life I feared that if he
came out of the room that he was gonna try to shoot more people and it is most
likely that if sergeant Rangel had not taken that shot or worse not been there
at all Nestor Hernandez could well have shot
his way out of the hospital potentially taking more lives on the way in the end
Nestor was unable to sway anyone to believe that he was in any way
innocent a jury would find him guilty of two counts of capital murder he would
be sentenced to life in prison without any chance at parole at the sentencing
family and friends of the two murdered women would speak in court Annette
devoted her life to taking care of people just like Jackie did everyone in
health care does we vow to serve others
and scum like you after you wrecked havoc that day and stole two beautiful
souls who undoubtedly were better human beings and more deserving of life than
you will ever be they still saved your life I hope every day for the rest of
your miserable life you are haunted by their names faces and the legacy that
you cut short although you don't care about any of that you've shown no remorse for anything
on that day Nestor Hernandez ended or ruined countless lives the two women killed had loving
families and large networks of friends and co-workers and without a doubt his actions
will have repercussions throughout Selena's life and that of his newborn son and in the
end did he ruin his own life it might be hard to find anyone who would care about that Jackie
Piqua had worked in the social services department at Methodist Medical Center and had received
her master's degree in social work from the University of Texas at Arlington a native of
Ghana she had moved to the United States more than 20 years earlier but maintained a strong
relationship with her family back home the 45 year old woman left behind a son Annette flowers was
63 years old at the time of the shooting and had worked for 40 years as an RN specializing in
working with mothers and their babies a single mother of four herself she also left behind four
grandchildren not the only one that was left behind she also left behind four grandchildren
not to mention all of the lives she had helped to usher in through her long career
fall never arrives all at once first the air then the light and slowly the things you love begin to
find each other a jacket meets a dress a hoodie slips beneath a blazer an old cap finds a new
scarf because you don't simply step into the season you create it layer by layer until it finally feels
like fall
find fall your way at Ross
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Podcast Summary
Key Points:
Fall arrives gradually through changes in air, light, and the way loved objects come together, symbolizing how seasons and emotions are experienced layer by layer.
A man named Nestor Hernandez, released from prison and on parole, entered a hospital with a concealed firearm, intending to confront his partner Selena after believing she had cheated on him.
During the confrontation, Nestor pistol-whipped Selena, who was recovering from childbirth, and accidentally shot a nurse, Jackie Piqua, while trying to escape, leading to her death.
Sergeant Robert Rangel, on patrol, responded to the gunfire, fired a shot that wounded Nestor in the leg, and prevented him from escaping with the weapon, saving lives.
Nestor was found guilty of two counts of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole, with no remorse shown during court proceedings.
Selena and Nestor’s past criminal behavior, including a prior aggravated robbery, and their unstable relationship, contributed to the tragic outcome.
The incident shocked Dallas, with hospital staff, police, and the public confronting the trauma and heroism of that day, and the lasting impact on victims’ families.
The story underscores how personal choices, substance use, and lack of accountability can lead to catastrophic consequences, even in the midst of new beginnings.
Summary:
The narrative unfolds in two distinct but connected threads: one a poetic reflection on the gradual arrival of fall, symbolizing how life’s moments and relationships naturally align over time; the other a harrowing account of violence, failure, and human consequence in a Dallas hospital. The story begins with a serene metaphor of seasonal change, only to shift into a real-life tragedy when Nestor Hernandez, a man on parole, enters a hospital room with a concealed gun, believing his partner Selena has been unfaithful. After a heated argument, he attacks her, fatally shooting nurse Jackie Piqua, and injuring others.
Sergeant Robert Rangel, responding to the gunfire, intervenes by shooting Hernandez in the leg, preventing further harm. The event results in a criminal conviction and life sentence for Hernandez, who shows no remorse. Selena, though injured and traumatized, survives.
The aftermath highlights the profound loss to the victims’ families, the heroism of first responders, and the long-term impact on those involved. The narrative contrasts the gentle rhythm of life’s small joys with the sudden, devastating consequences of personal failure, substance abuse, and unchecked anger. Amid the tragedy, the message remains clear: life, like fall, is not sudden, but built through layers of connection, choice, and care—something that is lost when ignored or destroyed.
FAQs
Fall doesn't arrive all at once. It begins with changes in the air and light, and slowly, the things you love start to find each other, like a jacket meeting a dress or a hoodie slipping beneath a blazer.
It means that seasons aren't just passive events — you experience them by making small, intentional choices, like adding layers of clothing or adjusting your routine, until the season feels authentic and real.
BJ's offers members savings of up to 25% off grocery prices and 10 cents per gallon saved on gas for six months. New members can join for just $20 and get a limited-time offer.
A convicted felon, Nestor Hernandez, entered a hospital room with a gun, attacked a new mother and a nurse, and shot both of them. The nurse, Jackie Piqua, was killed and another nurse, Katie Annette, died from a gunshot wound.
Texas law requires that a parolee get permission to visit another felon. He was granted special permission to visit his wife and newborn son on the day of his son's birth.
Sergeant Rangel, who was on the floor for a different reason, saw the shooter trying to escape and fired one shot at his leg to stop him from leaving and potentially killing more people.
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