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Relatives of a 34-year-old Cuban named Duniel Arjona Soto, who allegedly killed his one-year-old son on Wednesday and then took his own life in an apparent murder-suicide case in San Antonio, Texas, are devastated by the incident.
His bond with little Benjamín was deep and inseparable. According to family members, the father did not leave his son's side even when he was working.
Those who knew Duniel remember him as a devoted father.
"He loved that child so much that we don't understand what happened."
“We work on the Walmart delivery app. Duniel and the child were constantly in a Walmart cart, shopping, with the child sitting there, carrying him”, stated Liosbanis Rodríguez, Duniel's half-brother, in an interview with Univision.
"If I sometimes had to go to a second floor, it was with the child and things up there," she added.
That constant closeness between father and son made one think that there was an unbreakable bond between them. Therefore, the family does not find an explanation for the tragedy.
“What happened has left us all in shock, because he loved that boy so much that we don't understand what occurred,” insisted Rodríguez.
An unexpected and incomprehensible act
On the night of Wednesday, March 26, Duniel locked himself in the car with his son and called his father-in-law.
In that call, he said he would take his life and the child's. The authorities received the alert and headed to the park. Just 10 minutes later, they found the lifeless bodies of father and son inside the vehicle.
Both had multiple injuries inflicted with a sharp weapon.
So far, the San Antonio police are continuing their investigation into the details of the case, but the family points to a possible motive: the recent separation of Duniel from his partner and the threat of losing contact with his son.
They believe that this scenario could have triggered a desperate reaction.
They believe he could not bear the separation from his partner and the possibility of losing contact with his son Benjamín. They say his attachment to his son was so strong that, in the midst of despair, he decided to take him with him.
That coincidence has deeply resonated with those close to him, who are now trying to make sense of a decision they never imagined.
Repatriation, mourning, and fear of returning to Cuba
While they come to terms with what has happened, Duniel's family has started making arrangements to say goodbye.
“We will keep vigil for four hours. Then we will incinerate it and see how we can bring the ashes back to Cuba,” his half-brother pointed out.
However, that intention conflicts with a shared fear among many Cuban emigrants: the immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump Administration.
"I have residency, but I am afraid to travel to Cuba. They say they are not allowing anyone in, that they are not going to let anyone in," the relative added.
Help and solidarity in the midst of pain
Family members have started efforts to repatriate the remains and say goodbye in their homeland. On social media and fundraising platforms, they have begun asking for help to cover the costs of cremation and transportation.
In addition to the pain of loss, there is the financial burden and the fear of bureaucratic obstacles.
Friends, acquaintances, and members of the Cuban community in the United States have expressed their distress.
"We find it hard to believe that he was capable of doing something like this," commented those close to him, still in shock from the news.
As of the time this report was prepared, there are no new details regarding the police investigation, which continues to treat the tragic incident as an apparent murder-suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions about the homicide-suicide case in Texas
What happened with Duniel Arjona Soto and his son in San Antonio, Texas?
Duniel Arjona Soto, a 34-year-old Cuban, allegedly murdered his one-year-old son and then took his own life in an apparent homicide-suicide case that occurred in San Antonio, Texas. Both were found with stab wounds inside a car in a local park.
What could be the cause behind this tragic event?
Duniel Arjona Soto's family suggests that the recent separation from his partner and the threat of losing contact with his son Benjamín may have triggered a desperate reaction that led to the tragic outcome.
What actions have Duniel's family taken following the tragedy?
The relatives of Duniel have begun preparations to say goodbye, planning for an incineration and possible repatriation of the ashes to Cuba. Additionally, they have requested financial assistance through fundraising platforms to cover the associated costs.
What challenges does the family face in repatriating the remains to Cuba?
The family faces fears related to the immigration restrictions imposed by the Trump Administration, which could hinder their travel to Cuba to accompany Duniel's ashes, despite having residency in the United States.
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