Man who shot and killed ex-girlfriend, 22, after sneaking into her apartment gets charged with first-degree murder
BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON: Authorities in Washington have detained and charged a man who allegedly snuck into his former girlfriend's apartment and shot her dead on Wednesday, August 14.
Rigoberto Galvan, 22, fatally shot his former girlfriend, Stephanie Brenner- Cresswell and called the Western Washington University (WWU) Police Department received at around 12.20 am.
The incident took place at the 900 block of 20th Street in Bellingham.
Galvan had called 911 to report the incident and confess to what he had done, as per a release from the City of Bellingham.
The suspect was then taken into custody and was arrested as the police entered the apartment.
Cresswell succumbed to her injuries after she was found seriously wounded.
Galvan has been charged with first-degree murder and booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
According to court documents, the man had entered his ex-girlfriend's house through the second-floor balcony.
Brenner Cresswell was sitting in the living room with her roommate Cassidy Schlicke Perez when Galvan entered the house.
As per court documents, he told Perez to "run as she is going to die". Perez ran and then heard several gunshots and the screams of her roommate.
As reported by KOMO, Perez explained, "We just freaked out. You kind of go into shock a little bit. You kind of freeze. Everything goes into slow motion."
Brenner Cresswell was due to graduate in December and had wanted to be a physician's assistant.
Her mother Lisa remembered her as "generous, kind, and open".
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at Western Washington University, Melynda Huskey released a statement saying that Brenner Cresswell's death was a terrible loss.
In a statement, she shared, "We have learned that Stephanie died as a result of intimate partner violence. As we mourn this loss, we also commit ourselves as a community of learners to take action. Over the upcoming school year, there will be opportunities to learn about intimate partner violence, to support victims and survivors, and to make positive change. Please watch for announcements in September and throughout the year. Taking action to end violence is a powerful way to honor Stephanie."