Aurora – The 10-year-old boy who lost an arm in a pit-bull attack last month may lose his mother as well.
Reneé Denise Muniz, 37, the mother of Gregg Jones, was shot early Saturday while trying to assist a friend involved in a domestic dispute, police said. Muniz was in critical condition Saturday night at an area hospital with a wound in her upper torso.
The shooting comes just days after Muniz was charged with one felony count of child abuse and three misdemeanors, including unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog and cruelty to animals. And it comes about two weeks after Gregg was released from the hospital after recovering from a life-threatening attack by three pit bulls at the family home.
Muniz was shot while trying to help a friend retrieve her belongings from her boyfriend, said Marcus Dudley, Aurora police spokesman.
“It’s unfortunate … especially with a little boy who really needs his mom,” Dudley said.
Police were searching for Thomas Charles Taylor, 25, who is wanted on investigation of attempted first-degree murder and first-degree assault, Dudley said.
A second shooting victim, identified only as Muniz’s boyfriend, was shot while chasing Taylor, but his injuries are not life- threatening, Dudley said.
He said family members have temporary custody of Gregg while Muniz is in the hospital.
Muniz’s friend came to her house Friday night after a fight with Taylor, Dudley said.
Muniz and her boyfriend accompanied the unidentified friend to an apartment at 10693 E. Exposition Ave. about 2 a.m. Saturday, Dudley said. A man thought to be Taylor’s roommate opened the door and was speaking with them when Taylor approached the trio from behind, Dudley said.
He said Taylor is alleged to have fired a pistol, striking Muniz, and ran away. Muniz’s boyfriend chased and confronted Taylor, who shot the boyfriend in an extremity, Dudley said.
The man thought to be the roommate also fled, and police have not been able to contact him, Dudley said.
The shooting is the latest in a string of misfortunes for Muniz and her family.
Muniz’s son was attacked Nov. 2 by three pit bulls in the backyard of her rental home, 16642 E. Asbury Ave. The attack left the boy without his left arm and with disfiguring facial injuries.
While Gregg was in the hospital, Muniz’s landlord threatened to evict her for failing to pay rent. She was able to stay in the house after receiving money from a fundraiser and other donors.
“I guess you could call it bad luck,” said neighbor Pauline McGee. “I feel for the little fella.”
On Dec. 8, police recommended that prosecutors charge Muniz with negligent child abuse causing serious injury and cruelty to animals. Muniz’s daughter, Danielle Denise Carson, 20, faces two misdemeanor charges: cruelty to animals and unlawful ownership of a dangerous dog.
Police who searched Muniz’s home found piles of dog feces in a room where dogs were kept, a stench of urine permeating the home and rotting garbage overflowing the kitchen and garage, according to an arrest warrant affidavit. One dog was emaciated.
The Arapahoe County Department of Human Services has opened a file on the family, according to the affidavit.
Staff writer Claire Martin contributed to this report.
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
