US cleaning woman shot dead after arriving at wrong home

November 8, 2025

A 32-year-old house cleaner from Guatemala, Maria Florinda Rios Perez, was fatally shot through the door of a home in Whitestown, Indiana, after she and her husband mistakenly arrived at the wrong address for a cleaning job. Authorities discovered her dying on the front porch after responding to a home invasion report, though police confirmed the couple never entered the residence. Officials have submitted the case to prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges should be filed against the homeowner who fired the shot, with the prosecutor noting complications related to Indiana's stand-your-ground law.

Who is affected

Maria Florinda Rios Perez (32-year-old victim, mother of four, originally from Guatemala)
Mauricio Velazquez (her husband, who witnessed the shooting)
The couple's four children
The unidentified homeowner who fired the shot
The unidentified occupants of the home where the shooting occurred

What action is being taken

US officials are investigating whether to file charges against the homeowner
The Boone County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the case to determine whether criminal charges will be brought
Police are urging patience and warning about misinformation spreading online about the case

Why it matters

This case highlights the serious and potentially deadly consequences of stand-your-ground laws, which permit individuals to use deadly force in self-defense situations. The incident raises critical questions about when such force is justified, particularly when victims have made innocent mistakes like arriving at the wrong address. The case also reflects a troubling pattern of similar shootings across the United States where people have been killed or injured simply for approaching the wrong property, pointing to broader concerns about gun use, fear, and the interpretation of self-defense laws.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC