McAllen police say they found a collection of firearms inside the home of a man accused of shooting four neighbors after fighting over palm fronds in their yard last week.
Police found nine guns and several homemade suppressors after executing a warrant at Jerold Jason Heckman’s home at 1010 N. 47th Lane in McAllen.
Heckman, 50, was arrested on five counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon Nov. 8 after firing nearly 15 shots at a family, according to a police report.
Specifically, police found four pistols, two revolvers, two rifles and a shotgun — all with several rounds of ammunition — as well as three bottle suppressors, two pipe suppressors and a duct tape suppressor, all of which were homemade.
Heckman told police he was acting in self-defense when he shot his neighbors, but police said surveillance footage and one victim’s testimony say otherwise.
Alexandra De La Cruz, a 24-year-old shooting victim, told police that the incident began when her mother cut palm tree leaves and placed them on the curb for the brush department to pick up.
Her father, Adan De La Cruz, 53, then noticed the leaves had been scattered all over the yard and questioned Alexandra’s mother, Lourdes De La Cruz Garcia. Lourdes said she hadn’t done it, so they figured it was Heckman who had scattered the palm fronds since they’ve “had ongoing issues with” him, according to the report.
After the family called police to report the incident, Lourdes told her 16-year-old son to check the surveillance cameras to see who had scattered the leaves. That’s when he heard yelling coming from outside and found Heckman and his father in the middle of a verbal argument.
The teen “got between his father and [Heckman]” and then Heckman punched the teen in the face, which then led to a physical fight between the father and Heckman, the report said.
At one point, the teen and Heckman fell to the ground and Heckman bit into the teen’s arm. Eventually, the teen was able to free himself, but not before being punched and kicked as his mother tried to speak to Heckman’s wife.
According to the son and daughter’s testimony, Heckman entered his residence and came back with “his hand in his pocket.” That’s when the teen pushed his mother inside their home because he knew Heckman had a gun.
Alexandra told police she thought the gun was fake because of its small size, but Heckman soon began firing it. He shot the father multiple times, put a bullet in Alexandra’s left hip, and shot the teen’s right calf.
The fourth victim, 27-year-old Cristian De La Cruz, was inside the house and stepped out when he heard the gunshots. He was shot on his left upper back.
The father was transported to South Texas Health System – McAllen, while Alexandra, Cristian and the teen were taken to DHR Health. All were said to be in stable condition.
McAllen police surrounded Heckman’s home after the shooting, but the gunman called police to let them know he’d be surrendering after taking a shower and getting dressed.
Police said he was arrested without incident.
Heckman had a swollen left eye and his face was covered with scrapes, which are noticeable in his mugshot.
His wife, Laura Heckman, and their son were also taken into custody for further investigation.
Police say they obtained footage from two different neighbors that showed the confrontation unfold and end, but the videos show Heckman returned moments later and fired about 15 shots.
Heckman remained jailed Tuesday at the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center on $325,000 in bonds.
RELATED READING:
Police: McAllen man shot 4 neighbors after palm frond dispute
