We was arguing, and he grabbed me, and I yanked back, and it fell off my waist band. It fell off. >> This is Terrence, a woman who claims her husband was accidentally [music] shot after a gun fell during an argument inside their home. As officers move through the living room, John lies unconscious on the floor while paramedics [music] desperately try to save his life. >> Where did he get shot? >> Uh he's bleeding from the back, but I couldn't see anything up >> In the back on his left side? >> And right now, she's doing everything [music] she can to convince police it wasn't intentional. >> Show me what you did. >> I yanked back like, "Stop. Don't touch me." Boom. And when we heard Everybody did [music] this. >> So, where he was shot at, the trajectory of the bullet does not explain up with your story. >> How? >> It's the morning of January 18th, 2025 in Lamar, Texas. Officers are dispatched to a home after receiving reports of a violent domestic incident involving a firearm. According to the caller, >> [music] >> her husband had collapsed after a gun accidentally discharged during an argument. But when police arrive, the scene immediately feels off. >> It's on the corner. They told me don't touch. Just stay right here with the doctor. >> Okay. He ain't even >> Yeah, I got gloves >> He must have popped him in the arm or something. Cuz it it literally fell off my waist. >> Where'd you say the gun's at? >> It's It's on the corner. They told me don't touch it, so I didn't. >> Yeah, I'm >> Hey, go ahead and take her outside, please. >> Can I put it in a bag? >> Do you have gloves? >> Here you go. >> At first, all >> aren't even sure where John has been shot. There's blood coming from his upper body, but no obvious wound. >> Where was he shot at, please? >> I don't know, because um >> Hey, where were you at? >> Sir, can you talk to me? Sir. >> Ma'am, is there anyone Is there Is there anyone else in here? Anyone else in here? >> Anybody else? >> ANYONE ELSE IN OKAY. >> SIR. SIR, what's his name? >> His name is John Wesley Bolton. >> Where's he at? John what? >> John Wesley Bolton. >> John Wesley? >> Meanwhile, Terrence immediately begins explaining what she claims happened. >> I I believe he was shot. >> No, he was not shot. >> He was not shot? >> No. >> Okay. >> I keep a gun. I work security, so I have that for my job. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And I had it on my waist. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Cuz we had a heated argument, so we've been doing this since last night. >> Yes, ma'am. So he So he >> No, literally, we was arguing, and he grabbed me, and I yanked back, and it fell off my waist. Bam! And fell over. >> She says the two had been arguing since the night before. At some point, John allegedly grabbed her during the confrontation, causing the handgun tucked into her waistband to fall and fire. But there's one major problem. The more Terrence talks, the more investigators begin noticing contradictions. So a a shot did fire? >> It So I don't know. You got him on the ambulance. Somebody tell me something, cuz I just talked to him, and I didn't see no blood. I talked to him, and he talked. >> Well, there's There's blood, and he's not responding. So right now, we're working on the assumption that he was shot. Okay? W- Where Where were y'all standing at? >> We was We was right right in the middle of right where he said. >> Uh-huh. >> In in the in the section right here. >> Just do me a favor, ma'am. Just go and go and have a seat, okay? >> First, she says she never saw blood. Then, she questions whether John was even shot. Then, she changes where she thinks the bullet may have hit him. And officers begin realizing something important. People involved in accidental shootings usually struggle to understand what just happened. Terrence, however, already seems focused on convincing police it wasn't intentional. As paramedics continue working on John, investigators [music] start processing the living room. That's when they find something Terrence never fully accounted for. >> Uh Alex found a casing over there. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. She's >> I'm just trying to see two of it. And camera did it. >> Well, with the amount of blood that there's not, I would assume it is in him. >> There's a another casing right here and then there's another casing right here in the living room. >> There's the >> two shell casings, not one, which immediately creates a serious problem for her explanation. Because if the first shot happened [music] accidentally when the gun fell, what caused the second shot? >> We have 14 responders. >> Maybe he Like, what happened? Like, ain't nobody telling me nothing, man. >> Well, he's It It looks like he was shot. And >> was dead? >> It >> fell out my way, man. >> Okay. Ma'am, that doesn't mean he wasn't shot. I'm just saying it looks like he was shot, and they are providing him medical assistance. >> Okay, please. >> That is He didn't >> So, something hit him, okay? That's correct? >> Yeah, that's what it looks like. As far as that, you you know more than we do. So, we're >> I'm asking y'all cuz nobody telling me nothing, man. >> Okay, you called dispatch who CALLED 911? >> I CALLED. >> And did you tell dispatch that he was shot in the leg? >> I I thought he No, he just dropped to the ground. When I heard We heard the pop. Soon as the pop he just dropped. >> Okay, so was the gun in a holster? >> No. Right here. >> Just Just tucked in your waistband? >> Just Right here. >> Tucked Tucked in your pants? >> Yes. And it just fell out. >> Yes, by accident it happened. >> And things get even worse once detectives begin analyzing the trajectory. Based on John's injuries, the bullet traveled through his upper body from shoulder to shoulder, a path that makes almost no sense if the gun [music] discharged from the floor. At this point, officers quietly begin shifting the investigation away from an accident and toward a possible intentional shooting. While John is rushed to the hospital, officers begin interviewing people who know the couple. >> Related to the family lives here? Okay. Which Which side? >> My aunt. Who just called? Who was that? Just called. >> Your cousin? Which cousin? >> Renesha. She's my cousin. >> Renesha. Okay. >> I would my first cousin. >> Your pops? >> So, what happened? >> Called. She started this morning. >> Okay. You don't mind coming with me? My name is Sergeant Kinchlow. I work with the Mark PD. Can y'all come with me to the PD so we can talk about this instead of out here in the street? You don't mind? I I I'd like to talk to y'all and give y'all some information. But I need y'all to come to to come with me. >> Mark PD. >> I have to talk to his wife. I assume it was >> I'm his wife. I was here. I was I pulled up to work this morning. I did. We popping them words there. Or whatever. And And then I left. So, he just told me when I got in the car he said "Make sure she started with us this morning." I was like "What you mean she started with us this morning?" She told me she still in that zone told me "Nigga, I [ __ ] you and pop off." >> Really? >> That's what she told me. >> What store were they at? >> We was at Mike's at Mike's, right here. We got a kitchen in there. We run the store in there, the restaurant part. >> Yeah, I'd really like to to talk to y'all if possible. I I I know >> He's got to Yeah, he's going to going to do what he was But, uh Like I said, out here in the street, I don't >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, I I I understand. >> Yeah, I got you. >> Someone talked to Someone talked to my wife. >> Okay. I'm going to I'm going to get my phone. No, it's not about that. It's It's about It's about respect for you. Not I would have rather sit at a where we could sit down and relax instead of standing here in the street. So, >> You just do I just seen Morgan this morning. She She started this This is what happened. Today is what >> And that's From what we're gathering, I just got out here maybe a couple hours ago. We all together. It was It's clearly an argument, something going on. >> She said something to him. She talked >> Yeah. >> He got to He talked to She told him I heard what she said. I finished over here. Got me messed up. >> What were they Do you know what they were arguing >> Cuz he Cuz I told him to get the dog out the store. >> Okay. I said, "Man, take her home." >> She kept bringing the dog in the store. And that's where it started from. I don't know what happened in there. They think I'm from the store. >> Yeah. >> Just they got into it in there. >> It just continued on. >> I don't know what happened when they got out. So, what happened when you got out? >> Yeah, yeah, he got shot. >> Where? >> I don't know the details. What I heard was somewhere in the shoulder shoulder area. >> I don't know yet. >> I really don't. Last I heard he was at at the hospital and they're working on him. So I I can have >> Was it a guy? Was anybody in common with him? >> Okay. Well, I can have some more information for you if we go sit down and kind get a >> What I got to do? >> I want to hear from you. Yeah, I want to just get a statement from you about what you just told me and kind of talk to both of you guys and give you a little bit more information. When I get to the PD, I can go up to dispatch and ask them, "Hey, what's up? What's the status? What's going >> I got to I got to rush for my I got to >> Okay. >> I got to go. I'm going to be a mess though. >> Yeah, I don't I don't want to take any more of your time than necessary. And I understand this is your your father, so >> And almost immediately, a pattern starts emerging. Witnesses describe constant arguments between the two. One relative tells officers the couple had already been fighting earlier that morning. Another says >> [music] >> Terrence had been drinking heavily. >> There was not a full magazine for sure. >> When you got shot, where? >> It It looks like It looks like he got shot through >> Like two cases twice or just >> Well, we see we see two cases. >> There's two cases in the wall. >> But we also don't know that this this bullet hole supposedly on the front of the door is old. The one above it, you see the big hole in the >> Yeah. >> So they just live that lifestyle. She had the gun in her waistband, no holster. She said she uses it for her security job. So >> And they're still doing CPR at the hospital. That's the only shot is the shoulder area that you can see. >> Okay. So So when she called, she said he got shot in the leg. But then when I started talking to her, she's like, "Oh, was he shot? He wasn't shot." And so, it's one of those deals where she's just trying to She's trying to minimize her involvement in it the best she can. But, uh as far as we can tell, it was one shot. EMS got the best look at her. I They were all in the ambulance and they were already doing CPR. Muck them up too much. But, all right. So, let's let's get them. >> Yeah. >> By now, detectives are beginning to suspect the shooting may not have been accidental at all, but they still need Terrence to explain the physical evidence. >> That's your husband? >> Uh last we know is they were still doing >> 17 years. That's my husband. >> Okay. >> It's crazy. >> Um last we know is that they were doing CPR still. So. I don't know if they're >> Where were you guys at when um when that You know what's happening again? >> In in my in right in the dining room area, that that little gap right there. >> Mhm. And which way were you standing? Which way was he standing? >> I was So, say if you're walking in coming around the couch, and he was standing with his back to the wall. >> To the wall? >> To to which wall? To >> You So, your kitchen Your kitchen is over here? >> It was like um just you know, the space, you know, dining the dining table right there. >> So, say the front door is here, your couch was right here. >> Okay, put it like this. Say you come through my front door right now. >> And this is the kitchen right here. >> Yeah. Okay, you're coming through. You know, my couch my sectional You got to come around. >> Come around the sectional >> So, I come around the sec He was He was already in the house. He was already in the house with the dogs and stuff. So, he was just like, "Rica, like can you just listen to me?" So, I'm walking through. So, >> So, you're walking through? >> I'm walking through the kitchen. Came went to kitchen, walked back. Just going, you know, regular. >> And where was he? >> He was walking >> standing like like in the foyer, like in between if you can go left, right, or to the bathroom. Like right there. You know I got two white couches right there. So, he was right in the front of the white couches. >> Okay, so he was standing like right there in front of like where the other opening is where you can go to the >> Yeah, it was the opening in front of the the table. >> Okay. >> Uh so, I'm walking through. He was like, "Raquita, just can't you just listen to me?" And he grabbed my arm. And me being a [ __ ] I yanked back. And me yanking back so rough, >> Okay. >> Boom. And then when it boom, we both dropped. Me and him was on the floor. I got up, y'all. He did not get up like I got up. >> Where did it fall? >> [snorts] >> In the middle of the floor. Look, you see my pants? This is literally how my my clothes was when he fell out. >> Okay. >> But I'm pulling them up now. >> If you're falling if you're pulling away from him, your hip that hip is away. >> Yes. No, this hip was not nowhere near him. >> Okay. >> That's that's why I'm saying he grabbed this arm right here. I yanked the yanked like >> So, say sorry. Grabbed you right here and you yanked. >> We he his back was right up against the white chairs. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> And I'm walking through. Walked through, walked through. Going to walk through again. >> He grabbed your arm. >> And like like stopped me. Told me like, "No." >> No, I was like, "I got to get up." You got to get more order than that. Yeah. >> And >> Show me what you did. >> I yanked back like, "Stop don't touch me." >> Okay. >> So, when I don't [ __ ] touch me. Boom. And when we heard Everybody did this. Yes, I got the Oh, y'all, I know what the pop was. That was my gun fell out my hip. So, I immediately grabbed that and threw it on the counter. My phone was right there. I picked up 911 immediately. He didn't get up, y'all. It scared the [ __ ] out of me. I called. That's why I say y'all got I told dispatch. We was having an argument. He yanked me AND I SLASHED BACK. I told what happened. Send a [ __ ] ambulance. I got up, he didn't. Come on, man. >> Inside the interrogation room, detectives begin carefully reconstructing the final moments before John collapsed. Terrence sticks to her original version at first. She says John grabbed her arm. She [music] yanked away. The gun fell. It fired. But, as detectives walk her through the movement step by step, the story begins breaking down. Because physically, the trajectory doesn't work. If the gun fell from her waistband during the struggle, investigators explain the bullet would have likely traveled downward. Instead, John was struck high across the body. And detectives haven't forgotten about the second shell casing, either. The more pressure [music] they apply, the more nervous Terrence becomes. >> So, where he was shot at, the trajectory of the bullet does not line up with your story. >> How? >> It does not. So, if the gun is going to fall on the floor, the gun is going to go off in in an upwards direction, okay? It's not going to It's either going to go up straight or it's going to get shot down here on the legs, okay? >> I don't know where he got shot at. >> That's just it. I'm saying is where his gunshot wound is. She told you where he got shot at. >> No, you didn't. >> Yes, she did. >> Where he got shot at. No, you didn't. You said that he was alive. >> So, the thing about it is >> Let's heat it up. >> If say she's him and I'm you. okay? Right? She grabs my arm. I pull away. My gun's going to fall this way and shoot that way. My gun's not going to shoot him above the waist and have a trajectory on the wall. >> Okay, that's what y'all telling me. Y'all telling me I shot him. >> Well, I'm telling you that the story doesn't match with his gunshot wounds. And that >> And if you if you did if you did this >> I did not shoot THIS MAN. THE GUN fell out of my waist, y'all. >> in self-defense, because you're tired of him not paying bills, you're you're tired of all that. We I I I understand >> I've been with this man a couple years. This this always happen. Up and down. Bills is bills, y'all. >> But I If this was a self-defense thing, because he's putting his hands on you then just tell >> He do that, too. >> Okay, so you're so you're tired of it, right? You're tired of >> That that that ain't what happens today, though. >> But that that's not a way to live a life, right? To stand that paying bills, you working your ass off. >> Yeah, I'm tired as hell. Yes, I am. But I didn't do nothing to that man. We was having an argument. I yanked back that >> And then you said >> my waist band, man. >> You said it only went off once? >> One time. >> Then why do we find two shell casings? >> Hell if I don't know. Ask him. >> This trajectory doesn't match your story. The atmosphere inside the room immediately changes. For the first time, Terrence realizes investigators believe she's hiding something. Detectives begin suggesting an alternative version of events. [music] Maybe the first discharge really was accidental, but after that, maybe she picked the gun back up. At first, Terrence denies it, but emotionally, she's beginning to lose control of the story. >> I want you to tell me what happened this morning. Honestly, what happened this morning? What was going on? >> I just told you. >> I I I don't know. Like, what do you want me to say? What you want me to tell you? I just told you. >> So, you're maintaining that the gun fell out of your waistband. [snorts] >> It fell out of my waistband. I did not shoot this man, y'all. Goddamn, somebody wake him UP. HE WILL TELL Y'ALL THAT I DID NOT SHOOT HIM. I did not I did not shoot this man. You got a smirk on your face like what I'm talking about. Whatever y'all want to do with me, do it. Y'all don't I don't even know what to say. >> We want to help you, is what we want. >> I want you to help me, but what you want me to to say you something that I didn't do? >> And then detectives receive the call that changes everything. >> I just told you and you. >> We got to call the district attorney now because he did not make it. He just passed away. >> What? >> [snorts] >> Y'all need to stop playing with me. You lying. >> Dude. We're not going to lie to you about that. >> lying. >> This We're not lying to you about that. >> This [ __ ] >> [snorts] >> It's the naked truth. >> [snorts] >> So, this changes things a lot. >> Y'all, please don't play with me like that. Y'all >> You know, I know you just you just heard our phones vibrate, okay? And that was somebody telling us that they just talked to the hospital and he passed away. I'm not going to lie to you about this. That's not something to play about and that's not something to lie about. >> [snorts] >> I came in here earlier and I told he was still alive. But, that's changed. [snorts] >> Doctors are unable to save John. The gunshot caused catastrophic internal injuries, and after arriving at the hospital, he's pronounced dead. The second Terrence hears the news, she completely breaks down because the situation she'd been trying to explain away as an accident is now officially a homicide investigation. And detectives know this moment often changes everything. People stop protecting [music] the story and start confronting reality. >> Yeah, you found two casings. And one of them was just cuz it fell out my waistband. >> Okay. >> Don't put your [ __ ] hand around my neck. >> Okay. So, he choked you. Okay. And what was the other casing from? >> Mhm. >> So, the one casing is from the gun falling. The second casing is from you. Okay. So, he grabbed >> So, I didn't lie to you. I just didn't tell you the whole story. >> And that's what I was trying to get with you, Raquita. Like, I've been honest with you. >> Come on. Give me your cuffs cuz y'all finna just transport me to the county. >> We are not trying to trick you. We're trying to help you. We're trying to help you. >> come on, man. We want your story. >> We want your story on what happened. >> Tell us what happened about him putting his hand around your neck. We didn't get that. >> We're here to speak for you, Raquita. >> I don't think neither one of y'all coming to let a man >> He should never He should never have done that. >> This is why we want your full story. Cuz we knew there was something else to it. >> So, when you got home from work this morning, was he at the house? >> His previous files Harris County and Lamar. >> From him assaulting you? Okay. When you got home this morning, was he there? Or was he out doing Lord knows what? >> Mhm. I tried to surprise him when I all He wasn't even there. He was out doing the Lord knows what. >> So, you were trying to surprise him for his birthday. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Well, at what point does he come home? >> If you ask me for a time frame, I can't tell you. >> Okay. >> Cuz I was so irritated, I just start drinking as well. >> Mhm. >> And he just Excuse me. He come over from there. And the major was He did yank me. I snatched back. It fell. And okay. >> Okay. He grabs you. You >> Everything I told you was the God on the truth. I just didn't tell you everything. >> Okay, so he grabs you. You snatch back. The gun falls. It discharges. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And then what happens after the gun falls and discharges? >> I shot his ass. >> Okay. So, after the gun falls and discharges, then you pick the gun up and you shoot him. >> Where did you shoot him? >> Mhm. >> You don't know? >> I thought it was in a arm or something. >> Okay. So, you you had you had already yanked back away from him. >> Yep. And the the gun already fell, discharged, and everything. >> Okay. When did he grab you around your neck? >> After the first discharge. >> After the first one? >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, then he grabs you. >> Because he felt like it was like He was intimidated by firing off. >> Okay. And then so, he he's grabbing your neck. >> He He just kind of shove shove type >> Okay. >> And it was like a reaction. >> Okay. So, you had already picked the gun back up. >> Yeah, from the firing off, I picked it up. I put it on the counter. I was still standing at the counter. >> Okay. And then he grabs you and shoves you and let's go? >> No. Just I was still standing there. But it was like a You want me to say all words and stuff? >> Yeah. Yeah. Everything. >> [ __ ] you got me [ __ ] up. >> Okay. >> And it was about 30 seconds. Just I go this. >> Okay. >> But, my arms were boom. >> Okay. And And so, that's what he was saying when he was choking you was, "Bitch, you got me >> Because the gun fired and that like was a trigger >> Mhm. >> to him or something. >> After hours of contradictions, [music] Terrence finally begins admitting there was more to the story. Yes, the gun discharged when it fell. But, according to her, that wasn't the shot that killed John. She now claims that after the first discharge, John grabbed her by the neck. And in that moment, she picked the gun back up and fired. "I shot him." Just four words, but they completely destroy the version of events she'd spent hours [music] trying to maintain. Investigators now believe they finally understand what happened inside the house. A heated argument escalated. A gun was introduced into the confrontation. And somewhere in the chaos, [music] one decision changed both of their lives forever. [music] >> You ain't giving me no money. You ain't going to write me no letters. What I'm supposed to do then? >> Okay. Okay, I'm not saying that you're going to jail right now. >> [ __ ] Because I don't know like >> And ultimately, that decision isn't up to me or her. >> Okay. >> That decision's up to the district attorney. For over two decades, John and Terrence had built a life together. But, on John's birthday, years of tension, arguments, and violence finally exploded into something irreversible. >> [music] >> To this day, debate continues around whether the shooting was murder, panic, [music] or self-defense.