APD has arrested and charged a man responsible for the shooting death of his girlfriend.James Candelaria, 33, is accused of shooting Destiny Benavidez early on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at a residence located at 2102 Edith Blvd., S.E.Officers responded to the scene on Saturday after Candelaria’s sister, who lived in an adjoining residence, called 911 to report that Benavidez was on the floor bleeding inside Candelaria’s apartment. His sister told first responders that Candelaria had told her Benavidez had fallen down. Benavidez was transported to a local hospital before officers arrived. According to police, family members told them that Candelaria and Benavidez had been drinking alcohol prior to the shooting. Candelaria told detectives he blacked out and woke up with Benavidez in his arms. He denied owning a firearm at first, but later changed his story after detectives confronted him with additional evidence. Detectives were able to determine that Candelaria shot Benavidez and later took the firearm to a relative’s home.
APD has arrested and charged a man responsible for the shooting death of his girlfriend.
James Candelaria, 33, is accused of shooting Destiny Benavidez early on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at a residence located at 2102 Edith Blvd., S.E.
Officers responded to the scene on Saturday after Candelaria’s sister, who lived in an adjoining residence, called 911 to report that Benavidez was on the floor bleeding inside Candelaria’s apartment.
His sister told first responders that Candelaria had told her Benavidez had fallen down. Benavidez was transported to a local hospital before officers arrived.
According to police, family members told them that Candelaria and Benavidez had been drinking alcohol prior to the shooting. Candelaria told detectives he blacked out and woke up with Benavidez in his arms.
He denied owning a firearm at first, but later changed his story after detectives confronted him with additional evidence.
Detectives were able to determine that Candelaria shot Benavidez and later took the firearm to a relative’s home.
