"I Couldn't Breathe": Erica Torres Recalls Being Shot Five Times at Ex's Trial

Testimony of a Survivor: The Tragic Shooting That Changed Everything

Erica Torres, a woman who once faced the unthinkable, shared her harrowing experience with the court in a powerful and emotional testimony. She recounted how her ex-husband, Billy Delgado, shot her multiple times on June 1, 2024, leaving her with life-altering injuries that required more than 20 surgeries and a year-long hospital stay. Her story is one of survival, resilience, and the devastating consequences of a troubled relationship.

Torres described the moment she was shot as she approached Delgado’s apartment complex. He fired three shots through her windshield, striking her in the abdomen. “I realized I got shot because I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I felt like something was tying around my waist so tight,” she said. Despite being critically wounded, she managed to drive toward a hospital before losing consciousness. She crashed her vehicle and was hospitalized for 363 days.

“I was in excruciating pain. I kept passing out. I just did not want to die,” Torres said, reflecting on the physical and emotional toll of the incident. The shooting left her with permanent injuries, including significant scarring and ongoing medical issues. She now wears a girdle due to lack of abdominal muscle, cannot lift more than 10 pounds, and continues to experience leakage from wounds. “I have no confidence at all,” she admitted, describing how she currently feels.

A Relationship Marked by Control and Violence

Torres testified that her relationship with Delgado was marked by frequent arguments and physical confrontations. She described incidents where Delgado would pull her hair, grab her arms, or shove her when she tried to leave their home during disputes. “It was an unhealthy relationship. We had our arguments, and sometimes they would escalate,” she said.

The jury viewed a video recording of an intense argument between Torres and Delgado that occurred in a car while their daughter was present. According to Torres, the argument happened because Delgado insisted on driving her to a court appearance but then threatened to turn around, which would have resulted in her arrest for failing to appear.

Torres also spoke about Delgado’s controlling and jealous nature, which prevented her from maintaining employment. “I was never able to keep a job for more than two to three months, because he’d be constantly calling the offices or just show up randomly just to see what I was doing,” she said.

A Warning on Her Birthday

Torres recounted a particularly chilling incident that occurred on her birthday, May 19, shortly before the shooting. “He told me to enjoy my smiles and laughs, because it was gonna be my last birthday,” she said. This statement served as a grim foreshadowing of the violence that would follow.

Legal Proceedings and Cross-Examination

During cross-examination, defense attorney Oscar Vega questioned Torres about previous incidents where she had been arrested, including for an assault involving Delgado and her brother, and for driving under the influence with her daughter in the vehicle. Torres acknowledged these incidents but maintained that her physical confrontations with Delgado were acts of self-defense. She also testified that she is currently unable to work due to her injuries and suffers from PTSD.

Her testimony painted a vivid picture of a woman who has endured unimaginable trauma, both physically and emotionally. The courtroom heard not only the details of the shooting but also the broader context of a relationship filled with control, fear, and violence. As the trial continues, the impact of Delgado's actions remains a central focus, highlighting the need for justice and healing for those affected by domestic abuse.