Suspect says friend's air rifle shooting death was accidental

Ernest Tafolla, 59, charged with manslaughter

SAN ANTONIO – Ernest Tafolla, 59, the suspect in a bizarre shooting death involving an air rifle, said he fired at his friend accidentally in a June 14 incident left Moises Olguin, 53, mortally wounded. He died of his injuries July 4.

According to an arrest affidavit, San Antonio police spoke with a witness, who told them the two men had been moving items around inside Tafolla’s garage in the 800 block of Vanderbilt Street and then began arguing.  The witness reported seeing Tafolla pick up the Crossman single shot .177 pellet air rifle, point it at Olguin and fire, the affidavit stated.

Olguin was hit one time just above his eye, with the pellet lodging in his brain, according to his mother, who spoke off-camera to KSAT 12 News.

Tafolla also declined to comment on camera Wednesday morning. However, he said that Olguin was “like a brother” to him and that the shooting was an accident.

He reiterated what the affidavit stated that he told investigators, that he had picked up the air rifle to move it and it went off accidentally.

Olguin’s mother said while she does not believe Tafolla intended to kill her son, she’s certain he meant to pull the trigger. She said he has asked her for forgiveness since then, but she is not ready to comply.

Police arrested Tafolla Tuesday on a charge of manslaughter. Records show he was released after posting a $30,000 bond.


About the Author:

Katrina Webber joined KSAT 12 in December 2009. She reports for Good Morning San Antonio. Katrina was born and raised in Queens, NY, but after living in Gulf Coast states for the past decade, she feels right at home in Texas. It's not unusual to find her singing karaoke or leading a song with her church choir when she's not on-air.