HAUBSTADT – Seventy-seven-year-old Patrick J. Waite of Haubstadt has been charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder following a shooting incident on Scottsdale Drive that left three family members dead and one injured.
Authorities say Waite confessed to the slayings shortly after calling 911 to report the shooting.
The victims have been identified as Waite’s wife, 61-year-old Alma Waite, his son-in-law, 39-year-old Fernando Tapia Ramirez Sr., and his mother-in-law, 81-year-old Gloria Garcia Tapia. All three deceased victims sustained gunshot wounds to the head. A fourth victim, 43-year-old Juan Tapia Ramirez Jr., identified as Alma Waite’s son, was found alive with gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and is reported to be recovering “better than expected” after surgery.
According to affidavits, multiple 911 calls were received by Gibson County Central Dispatch around 8:30 p.m. on May 29, 2025, concerning shots fired at the Scottsdale Drive residence. Patrick Waite himself called 911, informing dispatch that four individuals had been shot and stated he would be waiting for law enforcement in front of the garage with his hands up. He also told the dispatcher he wanted to end the call to call his children and tell them what he did.
Upon arrival, deputies detained Waite, who immediately directed them to the .45 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun used in the shootings, found on a lawnmower in the garage. Inside the home, deputies found Alma Waite deceased in the kitchen. Fernando Tapia Ramirez Sr. was found deceased in the den, and Gloria Garcia Tapia was found deceased on a medical bed in the den. Spent shell casings and projectiles were located in both the kitchen and den areas.
A juvenile witness reportedly told deputies they saw Waite shoot the four individuals in the downstairs area of the home. The juvenile, along with two other adult family members, hid in an upstairs bathroom for safety.
During an interview at the Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Waite told detectives he had recently shot a water snake outside his property and came inside with the handgun still on his person. He claimed that an argument ensued with his wife, Alma, over the ownership of their home, as she had allegedly filed a quitclaim deed to transfer the house into her daughter’s name. Waite stated that he shot Alma Waite in the kitchen. He then heard Alma Waite’s sons, Fernando Tapia Ramirez Sr. and Juan Tapia Ramirez Jr., along with Gloria Garcia Tapia, in the den and shot them as well. He reportedly told detectives, “I shot them all. I’m certainly not proud of that fact at all.” Waite also admitted, “I’m as guilty as guilty can be,” and expressed remorse, stating that he knew what he had done was wrong and that God would never forgive him.
On June 2, Waite appeared in Gibson County Superior Court via video from the jail. Judge Robert Krieg entered a not guilty plea. Waite is being held without bond. He will appear in court again on July 21 at 9:00 a.m.
A Probable Cause Affidavit outlines the initial findings and allegations that led to an arrest. Criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
