Police: Man claims self-defense in fatal shooting of girlfriend


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RIVERDALE — Police are investigating the death of a woman whose boyfriend allegedly called 911 to report he had shot the woman who had been armed with a knife.

Police were called to the home at 4400 Parker Drive just before 11 p.m. Sunday and found Jenna Manuel, 30, dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

"(Manuel) was out with friends just watching the Super Bowl. When they came home, there was a domestic dispute between the two of them that led to the altercation," said Riverdale Police Lt. Casey Warren.

The 41-year-old man told police the shooting was self-defense. He was questioned and then released as the investigation continued, Warren said. The man remained out of custody Monday evening, according to Riverdale Police Chief Dave Hansen.

Manuel and her boyfriend lived together in Riverdale, Hansen said.

The man's name and additional details about what prompted the argument were not released Monday. Warren said he was not aware of any history of domestic violence in the home.

A young child was inside the house at the time but did not witness the shooting, the lieutenant said.

A woman who asked to be identified only as a friend said Monday that she was stunned by the shooting and had never seen or heard of any issues with the couple.

"I've known him for a few years, and I've only spoken with her a couple of times," the woman said. "He's a great guy; he's a great person. The times that I did talk to her, she's a great person, too. Very sweet. I'm very shocked. I never would have thought that something like this could have happened."

The couple moved into the neighborhood in October, the woman said. She said she never saw signs of domestic violence during that time and described the man as a "funny, an all-around nice guy."

After learning the man had allegedly told police the shooting was in self-defense, the woman said, "I hope that's what it is. … It's just really sad someone lost their life. There's a little girl without a mom."

Contributing: Ben Lockhart

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