Officer Charged in Girlfriend’s Death
A Los Angeles police officer was charged with murder Tuesday for allegedly shooting to death his live-in girlfriend during an argument following a night of drinking.
Officer Edward Castro Mendoza, 26, who joined the department 18 months ago, was arraigned in Municipal Court, the district attorney’s office said.
Police said Mendoza shot and killed his girlfriend, Tina Maglinto, 38, in their Hawthorne apartment Saturday evening.
Police said Mendoza had come home late from work that night after drinking with friends. He wanted to go back out, but Maglinto did not want him to and refused to give him his car keys.
The couple were arguing and fighting over the keys when Mendoza shot her in the head, police said.
The shooting occurred in the presence of the victim’s 13-year-old daughter and the couple’s 18-month-old boy, who are being cared for by Mendoza’s parents.
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