Tragic End to I-10 Standoff, Parts of I-10 West Bound Are Closed

R. Ken Cooper • May 8, 2024

I-10 Closed Near Malbis as Standoff Ends with Suspect's Death

UPDATE: Baldwin County, Ala. – (OBA) –In the early hours of May 8, 2024, tragedy unfolded in Tampa when Maira Pacheco Nuñez allegedly shot and killed her boyfriend, Kelbys Avila. Following the incident, she fled, leading to a police chase that ended in Baldwin County, Alabama. There, after a traffic stop, deputies discovered Nuñez deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

After the traffic stop and stand-off, Baldwin County Deputies used a drone to observe the suspect slumped over the steering wheel in her car. Upon closer inspection, they confirmed she had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

I-10 was reopened just around 4:30ish.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed deep sorrow over the incident, urging those facing domestic issues to seek help. They provided the following information on the Tampa homicide investigation.

On May 8, 2024, just before 7 a.m., deputies responded to the 9200 block of Shellgrove Court in Tampa after our Communications Center received a call from a concerned family member.

Upon arrival, deputies located a deceased adult male.

Through investigative means, detectives learned that Maira Pacheco Nuñez, 58, shot and killed her boyfriend, Kelbys Avila, 50, and then fled the scene in a vehicle.

Detectives developed probable cause and obtained an arrest warrant for Pacheco Nuñez for 2nd Degree Murder with a Firearm.

Within the hour of the arrest warrant being issued, the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office in Alabama spotted the vehicle. Baldwin County Sheriff's Office's deputies made a traffic stop. The suspect then ended her own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"This is a tragic and heartbreaking situation. Our hearts ache for the family of this man whose life was tragically ended," said Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Violence is never an option. To anyone facing or anyone who suspects domestic violence, please remember: help is available, and you are not alone."

Any further information on this case will come from the Public Affairs Office.

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Malbis, Ala. – (OBA) – A standoff on Interstate 10 in Baldwin County, Alabama, ended tragically when a suspect from Florida, wanted for a possible homicide, took their own life.

The incident occurred near the Malbis exit, causing the closure of the westbound lanes near mile marker 40 for an extended period.

Authorities from the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency were involved. The interstate has been shut down temporarily as the scene remained active.

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