On Tuesday evening, just after 7:00 PM, Sulphur Springs police officers were dispatched to the 600 block of Main Street following a 911 hang-up call. While officers were en route, dispatch updated the call to a reported physical disturbance.
Upon arrival, officers heard yelling and the sound of items being knocked over inside an apartment. Despite announcing their presence and ordering the occupants to open the door, officers were forced to make entry after receiving no response.
Inside the apartment, officers found Veronica Zamora, 37, on top of the victim, who had a brown belt wrapped around her neck. Zamora was detained immediately and removed from the scene. Officers noted spots of blood on Zamora’s arms and chest, along with scratches and redness indicative of a physical altercation.
Zamora told officers that the victim had been intoxicated and disrespectful toward her children, which led to an argument that escalated into a physical fight. She claimed the victim already had the belt around her neck in an earlier attempt to harm herself and denied placing it there.
Meanwhile, officers interviewed the victim, who had visible injuries, including several cuts on her head and a significant laceration on her forehead. The victim alleged that Zamora had dragged her into the front room by her hair during an argument, then got on top of her and choked her with her hands. The victim further stated that Zamora instructed one of her children to retrieve a belt, which Zamora used to choke her, causing difficulty breathing and near loss of consciousness. The belt remained around the victim’s neck until officers forced entry into the apartment.
During the investigation, officers learned that Zamora and the victim had been in a relationship for approximately a year. Following the incident, Veronica Zamora was arrested and transported to the Hopkins County Jail, where she was booked on charges of Assault of a Family or Household Member by Impeding Breath or Circulation, a serious felony offense.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, and no further details are available at this time.