Police investigate fatal shooting in Pulaski County

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Police investigate fatal shooting in Pulaski County

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 13, 2008 at 4:16 PM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 13, 2008 at 11:27 PM EDT

MONTEREY, Ind. — Police say a man shot and killed his wife in the driveway of their Pulaski County home Sunday.

According to the Pulaski County sheriff, Denise Solano was in a friend's car in the driveway of the couple's home on Center Street in Monterey when Tomas Solano shot and killed her around 3 p.m.

Police say Tomas then fled to Michigan City, where his sister and mother reportedly live. Police surrounded him at Greenwood Cemetery.

Witnesses living near the scene say they saw an ambulance being escorted out of the cemetery around 5 p.m. Police say Tomas has been shot, but it is unclear at this time whether police shot him or he shot himself.

Police say they have responded to numerous calls to the couple's home over the past several months. Their most recent call there was on Friday. The sheriff also told WSBT the suspect was recently living with his mother.

Both Tomas and Denise Solano are believed to be in their 30s. Police confirm the couple have children who have been in protective custody in the past, and were in protective custody at the time of the shooting.

WSBT has a crew on the scene and will have the latest information as it becomes available.

Friday, Apr 25 at 4:55 PM close friend wrote ...

does anyone know of any up date on tomas and kids...was anyone able to go to denise awake thanks

Wednesday, Apr 23 at 8:03 PM kim wrote ...

i knew denise,tommy,and his family.tommy is not a monster have some respect for both families it is a tragedy to both families leave them alone they are going through enough without all of you posting your comments about the tragedy mind your own buisness and dont talk about people most of you dont know

Saturday, Apr 19 at 9:54 AM Family wrote ...

You all that are saying he is dead... Well gues what he isnt. I think those of you who say that he is are sadly misinformed. My cousin died at the hands of a ruthless man and he gets to live. He is not dead and will most likely make it. Self inficted gunshot wound does not mean he died. Read up the facts He is still alive. That jerk. Well jerk doesnt even describe Thomas. HE is a monster.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 1:28 AM Family wrote ...

Thank you Lisa!!! Irene needed your kind words!

Tuesday, Apr 15 at 9:36 PM anon wrote ...

Does anyone know if Tomas lives? I kind of hoped he did live so he could suffer. If he dies, he gets what he wants.

Monday, Apr 14 at 8:30 PM Monterey Area wrote ...

Monterey is a good little town when dont have people doing this crap very often. I argee with the ladys on the vid. I new both of them and the the 2 people that are dead and in the hosptial. I dont think that she should have gone like that there is better ways of fixing this probs. I have lived her for 13years and there has been only 3 merders in about 13 years so Monterey is a very peaceful town and i send hope and love to the kids and the familys of this heart brakeing ending of a life!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 7:46 PM Brenda wrote ...

I consider Denise to be my best friend. We worked together side by side every day. As I set here and read your comments some of you are right about things and some of you just do not have a clue. If you could have been in my shoes and heard everything that that so called man has done to her and her children you would be shocked!! To my best friend I'll always remember the good times, Thanks, I'm gonna miss ya.

Monday, Apr 14 at 12:43 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Shame on you WSBT for allowing people to post such morbid things on your website... this is not a gossip column! A woman was murdered by her sick husband and all these people care about was there a man in the car? etc. etc. Reading these comments makes me feel sick to my stomach!!!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 11:03 AM Anonymous wrote ...

My prayers are with the whole family. May god protect you all and cover you!!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 9:10 AM WHATEVER wrote ...

WHY IS IT THAT YOU HAVE TO BE UGLY ABOUT THIS ANONYMOUS. THIS IS A TRAGIC THING. YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY A CHILD THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED. THIS IS A MOTHER AND FATHER. A FAMILY! THERE ARE CHILDREN INVOLVED HERE. DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT THAT????? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!

Monday, Apr 14 at 6:24 AM Elle wrote ...

It's a shame they couldn't get their lives in order for their innocent children. Sounds like the children have had it rough and now will be so much more worse than imaginable. My prayers go out to these children

Monday, Apr 14 at 3:37 AM former co-worker Lisa wrote ...

to both families, my thoughts and prayers are with you all. they will both be terribly missed. May God Bless and keep you all..Keep your head and your prayers up. Irene, I pray especially for you, stay strong and believe. Love Lisa

Sunday, Apr 13 at 11:32 PM Anonymous wrote ...

WNDU does have the story up....it was up at 7pm tonight when I looked. It's the top story in the line when you scroll down.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 11:12 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Do you guys have anything better to do, with you time? Sitting here and writing about this, Their is a mother, a sister and a duaghter deed. Their is a mother and father and kids grieving for their family please Just stop posting comments on this site and others. I wish that wndu and wsbt would just take down the comment page about this story, It is sad what happen. Let the family be in peace right now. Thank You

Sunday, Apr 13 at 10:57 PM Former Co-Worker wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers are with the children and Denise's family. She was a great woman and friend. She will be missed greatly.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 10:24 PM A friend from work wrote ...

Denise, you are with the angels now. Rest in peace. I will always remember you and your kindness.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 10:19 PM Anonymous wrote ...

he is not dead he is still alive on life support

Sunday, Apr 13 at 10:16 PM family wrote ...

tommy we love you and always will RIP

Sunday, Apr 13 at 10:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Tomas did die, I believe. I live in Michigan City, and we were listening to the police scanners, and he was found 10-0 by his truck (10-0 means dead). They said it was a self inflicted death. It's just awful how crime has been going up in the city areas.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 9:27 PM anonymous wrote ...

you should not ask stupid questions if you know nothing about what had happened!!!!!

Sunday, Apr 13 at 9:27 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It was not in the driveway it was on the street in the car and he was not in his car when he shot her so you are wrong just like wndu The guy is not dead

Sunday, Apr 13 at 9:17 PM tabitha wrote ...

No matter the details of this story, it is so sad. One life is gone and so many are ruined because of an act of violence. I live in this town, near the shooting, and no place is safe from violence anymore. Guns and killing are NOT the answer to problems.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 9:16 PM family wrote ...

You people have no clue what your talking about..

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:56 PM Josh wrote ...

I know the childern involved in this shooting. They are good kids, I know they are going through alot. My prayers are with them and their famlies.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:54 PM A Friend wrote ...

Goodbye Denise, we all loved you.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

when you dont know what you are talking about SHUT UP!!!

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:29 PM Anonymous wrote ...

they lived across from my parents...my dad is the one who had found her and called the cops after he heard a gunshot and a vehicle tearing out of the driveway...its so sad and crazy...

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:28 PM A Fellow Worker wrote ...

What a bunch of uninformed morons. Yes, Denise was in a friends car. The car belonged to a friend of hers that she worked with. The female friend was at work and lent Denise the car so she had a way to get home. Why don't all of you misinformed people who have no idea what Denise has been through stop speculating over what happenned , mind your own business, and stop trying to smear the memory of a fine woman who did not deserve what has happenned to her.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:18 PM anon wrote ...

Denise worked at walmart in plymouth and she had borrowed her friend Barbs car. The idiot husband had broken in to the house ( she had a restraining order against him in the midst of divorce)and was waiting for her.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 8:00 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Why should it matter what the friend's name was? It sounds like they had an awful marriage anyway. It has been reported that the husband was living apart so I am assuming they were separated. I'm so sorry for the kids and the wife's family! The husband sounds like he is totally off his rocker. I wonder if she had a restraining order against him.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 7:45 PM You're all insane!! wrote ...

I can only think of the song "Dirty Laundry" right now...you people are pathetic. There is one confirmed dead woman, who was somebody's mother, daughter, & sister, her husband is either wounded or dead, and all you can think about is who she was cheating with? Good grief, people, get a life. Leave this poor woman's family alone; I'm sure those kids are going to have a tough enough road to travel w/o all of you making it bumpier for them.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 7:44 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I heard they also took Tomas' friend that supplied the gun into custody.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 7:19 PM Anonymous wrote ...

i know the name of the boyfriend

Sunday, Apr 13 at 7:12 PM Anonymous wrote ...

From what I was told, the motive was jealousy.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 7:04 PM Anonymous wrote ...

What is the name of the person taken into custody that gave the suspect the gun knowing he had intentions of shooting his wife?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:53 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It should not matter who she was with...it does not give him the right to do that...she knew this was coming the police were called several times cause of him she needed someone to protect her very crazy man sad she is dead

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Amanda, Is your aunt's name Cheryl by chance?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

So did Tomas Solano die? The article didn't say that he did?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Their poor children, to sad!!

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:39 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Does anybody know what the motive of the shooting was about?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:33 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Anyone know the name of the friend, whom's car she was in?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:19 PM curt wrote ...

this is wsbt ya dinks lol

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:16 PM Anonymous wrote ...

hey guess what im friends with the people that died... thats bad cause now i min tears.... :(

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:15 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Who was she with?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:10 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Who was the guy she was with?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:09 PM earl wrote ...

do you know Denise maiden name was?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:07 PM Justin wrote ...

The guy died of a self inflicted wound (i.e. shooting himself).

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:03 PM earl wrote ...

get off the computer, Amanda

Sunday, Apr 13 at 6:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

can u tell me the man's name i would like to know?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 5:48 PM Amanda wrote ...

No idea on the suspect and the girlfriend but I know the name of the guy she was with.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 5:47 PM Amanda wrote ...

Agreed! WNDU doesn't even have any updates on this story!

Sunday, Apr 13 at 5:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...

where exactly was this towards the town itself or in the smaller spots towards Jefferson,Birch and Oak? I was wondering because i do not want my kids hurt incase any further happens with this guy.

Sunday, Apr 13 at 5:30 PM Stacy wrote ...

Do you have any names on the shooting suspect and his girlfriend?

Sunday, Apr 13 at 5:02 PM Anonymous wrote ...

You guys are kicking WNDU's but.....they don't have this story and haven't even updated their web site since yesterday....keep up the great job!!

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