In-law dispute leaves victim on life support

NEAR ALAMO — A domestic dispute that ended in gunshots left a man’s brother-in-law on the brink of death Monday evening.

Hidalgo County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call of a man down along Village Circle in the El Gato colonia south of Alamo about 4:23 p.m. Friday.

Deputies found Oscar Ovalle laying in the street after he suffered a gunshot to the head. Emergency crews rushed him to McAllen Medical Center, where he remained on life support Monday afternoon.

Several witnesses told investigators that Ovalle’s brother-in-law, Johnny Rodriguez, shot him in the head during an argument.

Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Rosa Treviño charged the 22-year-old Rodriguez with criminal attempted murder during an arraignment Monday afternoon. He remained at the Hidalgo County Jail in lieu of a $350,000 bond.

Judge Treviño said Ovalle, 30, underwent surgery Monday morning to remove the bullet from his head. He remained in critical condition, on life support, authorities said.

The sheriff said if Ovalle dies from his injuries, the attempted murder charge would be reclassified as murder.