Story perspectives

Off-Duty Officer Fatally Shoots Sister in Bronx Tragedy

1/26/2026

Center

Officer's Fatal Shooting

An off-duty Port Authority police officer, Mario Garcia, fatally shot his sister, Maria Garcia, and critically wounded their mother in a Bronx apartment, a murder-suicide.
Responders were alerted shortly after 8 a.m., and officers found Garcia dead with a firearm nearby.
The mother, an 86-year-old woman, is expected to survive.
Investigators are examining whether there were prior domestic violence reports and say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Right

Mother's Plea Denied

Priyatharsini Natarajan, Hillsborough mother, pleaded not guilty to double murder charges for allegedly killing her two sons, aged 5 and 7.
Her husband reported her confession to police after discovering the boys' bodies at their home.
Investigators found evidence the children were strangled, with one showing signs of having been killed earlier.
The community mourns, and local schools support students and staff.
Natarajan's next court appearance is for February 27.

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Officer's Fatal Shooting

An off-duty Port Authority police officer, Mario Garcia, fatally shot his sister, Maria Garcia, and critically wounded their mother in a Bronx apartment, a murder-suicide.
Responders were alerted shortly after 8 a.m., and officers found Garcia dead with a firearm nearby.
The mother, an 86-year-old woman, is expected to survive.
Investigators are examining whether there were prior domestic violence reports and say there is no ongoing threat to the public.

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