DONNA, Texas — A horrifying scene unfolded Tuesday afternoon at Neni’s Childcare #2 when a domestic violence incident turned deadly in front of terrified children. Around 3 p.m., 26-year-old **Nubia Bravo**, an employee at the childcare center, was fatally shot by her estranged husband, **41-year-old Saul Esquivel**, in what authorities are calling a murder-suicide.
Investigators say Esquivel forced his way into the center, where Bravo was working with five children. Acting on instinct to protect them, Bravo reportedly led Esquivel away from the play area and out the back door. As she tried to flee, he chased her outside, pulled out a firearm, and shot her multiple times before turning the gun on himself. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police confirmed that no children or staff members were physically injured, though the trauma of witnessing the event has shaken the small community. Officers and crisis counselors quickly arrived to comfort the children and notify their families. “She did everything she could to keep them safe,” one responder said. “Her final moments were spent protecting others.”
Neighbors and co-workers described Bravo as gentle, patient, and deeply devoted to the children she cared for. “She had a light about her,” one parent shared tearfully. “You could tell she loved those kids like they were her own.”Authorities revealed that Bravo had recently separated from Esquivel, and there were indications of prior domestic issues.
Police are now investigating whether she had sought protection from him in the past.The tragedy underscores the deadly consequences of domestic violence and the quiet courage shown by those who try to escape it. As Donna mourns, flowers and candles now mark the daycare’s entrance — a heartbreaking reminder of a young woman’s bravery and love in her final moments.
