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Dabreon Banks: Man who claimed wife killed herself exposed after daughter says 'daddy shot mum'

Dabreon Banks who allegedly killed his wife Kimberly Hernandez in front of their 2 minor kids, claims they were 'play fighting' when the gun went off

BY ARYAN VAKSH

UPDATED NOV 30, 2021

Dabreon Banks has been charged with killing his wife Kimberly Hernandez (photo credit: ABC13)

HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS: Dabreon Banks is accused of killing his common-law wife in front of their 3-year-old daughter and 20-month-old son. The shooting occurred on Monday in the 6200 block of East Sam Houston Parkway, where Banks and Kimberly Hernandez, 24, shared an apartment.

Hernandez was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound just before 11 pm, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Investigators said Banks initially claimed he and Hernandez were "play fighting" when the revolver went off. He then claimed they battled over text messages on his phone, which deputies suspect led to a physical altercation and eventually the shooting. Hernandez's father, speaking to ABC13 from his front porch on Wednesday, said, "She would always laugh, always cheerful."

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"She was just here on Monday. She was playing with the kids," he said while holding up Hernandez's high school graduation photo. "They called us in the middle of the night to tell us she was dead." Prosecutors revealed in court how Banks allegedly shot Hernandez in the head while their 3-year-old daughter watched on Wednesday. Investigators were able to get a description of what happened from the little girl.

Banks appeared before the court where he claimed the shooting was an accident and the pair were 'play fighting' when the revolver went off (Photo credit: ABC13)

"Officers spoke with a juvenile eyewitness, who stated, "Dad shot mum." She made a firearm gesture with her hand. Officers spoke with a witness who also said that the child had informed her, "Daddy shot mommy." Banks is entrusted with a $75,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for the following week. At least once a week, a neighbour reported hearing screaming and arguing coming from the couple's flat.

Deputies allegedly investigated a domestic violence incident at the flat in October, but the case was eventually dropped due to the complainant's lack of prosecution. Officials said Banks was also facing deferred adjudication on two separate offenses from two different counties at the time of the incident.

Kimberly's father said that she was a cheerful girl who would 'always go back' to the accused despite having problems with him (picture credit: ABC13)

"She was having problems with him," said Hernandez's dad, recalling the family had asked his daughter to move back home and bring the grandchildren. "But she would always go back to him." Hernandez's father and mother have taken custody of the kids and are now raising them.