William McKinley, 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was awakened abruptly at about 5 a.m. on a Saturday morning when his dogs started howling incessantly. The concealed carry permit holder walked outside to investigate, unaware that his own driveway was about to become the site of a heinous murder.
Unfortunately, William McKinley never returned to his Four Hills house after stepping out to investigate what was bothering his dogs. Rather, a neighbor heard a pounding sound early that morning and went out his window to find McKinley wobbling up his driveway, bloodied and pleading for assistance. McKinley’s father-in-law was sitting on his chest, attempting to stop the bleeding, when the cops came.
Despite the fact that paramedics rushed McKinley to the hospital, it was too late. He died as a result of his wounds, but not before telling his wife and officials what had happened. McKinley claims he was wounded numerous times as he confronted two guys breaking into his vehicle.
The attackers fled in a dark-colored Jeep after stabbing him in his own driveway, he added. After investigators found that a glass had been knocked out of McKinley’s vehicle and four other automobiles had been broken into overnight in the Four Hills neighborhood, an upmarket enclave in Southeast Albuquerque, they soon decided that this was an auto burglary that escalated to murder.
Unfortunately, William McKinley’s life was cut short by a set of power tools. What he can only characterize as a predator savagely assaulted a nice guy, Albuquerque police officer Simon Drobik said. These property crime offenders are increasingly turning into violent criminals without hesitation, Drobik said.
McKinley’s daughter was taken aback by her dad’s unexpected death, particularly given that he was a gun owner with a concealed carry licence. Valerie McKinley claims her dad did not see any threat since he did not carry his rifle with him when he stepped outdoors on that tragic Saturday morning.
Valerie’s father was a pious guy who led a Bible study group from his house. He believed every day was a reason to celebrate, she said. Every day was a celebration, and every day there was something to contribute. He enjoyed every aspect of his existence. And he was always certain that if he died, he would go to paradise.
Police finally recognized the individuals suspected of breaking into McKinley’s vehicle and stabbing him to death during the ensuing encounter using William McKinley’s deathbed description of the perpetrators and another tip. They quickly questioned Craig Whited, 26, and Tyler Hernandez, 25, and detectives started to build a solid case against McKinley’s killer.
Whited claimed Hernandez stabbed McKinley, and investigators determined that Hernandez had a bruise under his eye and scrapes on his arms, although Whited was unharmed. Hernandez’s room also had McKinley’s tools.
Whited pleaded guilty to car burglary, theft, and possession of burglary tools. He received a five-year jail term as well as five years of probation. Hernandez, on the other hand, did not do so well. Tyler Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated burglary, conspiracy, tampering with evidence, and theft following a four-day jury trial a year and a half after McKinley’s death.
Despite the fact that Hernandez’s defense counsel, Daniel Salazar, attempted to blame McKinley for his own murder, claiming he shared guilt since he “attacked” the robbers, Tyler Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years.
The fact that the guy responsible for William McKinley’s murder is now in prison provides closure for his family, but telling his tale provides them with much more. His memory may be honored by utilizing his death to alert others and potentially save another person’s life.
As his daughter pointed out, William McKinley clearly did not detect any threat until it was too late, or he would have armed himself before venturing outdoors. Unfortunately, a concealed carry license holder was brutally killed since he did not have his pistol with him. If we can take anything from this incident, it is that our gun rights are not negotiable and that we must always be prepared to protect ourselves.
