MCALLEN - An argument about a cell phone in McAllen ended in three deaths. 

A justice of the peace ordered an autopsy for 42-year-old Berenice Garcia, her 16-year-old daughter, and her husband 30-year-old Cruz Pinon.

Police arrived at their home on the 900 block of North 3rd Street around 11:53 p.m. Friday. They were responding to a call about a disturbance. Garcia and one of her teenage daughters reported Pinon wanted to see the daughter’s cell phone to check what she’s been doing. Pinon is the stepfather of Garcia’s teenage daughters.

Officers said “a verbal disturbance” started when she wouldn’t let him get the phone.

Police moved their interview with the teen outside the home. Her mother and another of Garcia’s teenage daughters followed them to the font porch.

While police were talking to the teen, Pinon came to the front door with a handgun and shot at Garcia, the two daughters with her outside and officers at the scene. Garcia and the daughter who didn’t have the argument with Pinon about the cell phone were hit.

Police shot at Pinon three times. He ran into the home, where Garcia’s 13-year-old daughter and two four-year-old children were.

The teen inside the home was shot. Police removed all three children from the home.

They then found Pinon’s body in a bedroom in the back of the home. Officers said he appears to have died from a gunshot wound. The handgun he had was next to him. 

In a press release, McAllen police said they have reason to believe the wound was self-inflicted. They haven’t determined yet if any of the shot fired by police hit him.

The 13-year-old victim was taken to hospital. She was reported to be in stable condition but transferred to San Antonio for treatment.