Six-year-old Cyprien Argueta Romero died of gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead after arriving at Southern Hills Medical Center. His parents, Karen Y. Argueta, 28, and Fredy M. Martinez, initially told investigators the boy had been injured while playing with his brother during yard work in the Paragon Mills area, but they became uncooperative after that statement.

Investigators say evidence contradicted the parents’ account. GPS data from the family’s Ford Explorer and motel surveillance point to a motel room on Metroplex Drive in South Nashville as the scene of the shooting. Detectives found a stolen semi-automatic rifle, 6.92 grams of crystal meth, and bloody bed sheets inside the Explorer; surveillance shows Martinez carrying the limp body of Cyprien from the motel room to the vehicle.

Karen Argueta-Salgado and Fredy Martinez were taken into custody and face charges of criminal homicide, aggravated child neglect, and evidence tampering. Prior to the homicide charges, Argueta was charged with felony meth possession and gun theft; Martinez faced outstanding matters including a Texas probation violation tied to a burglary conviction and an alleged prior aggravated assault on Argueta. Investigators say no other individuals are currently indicated in the shooting.

If anyone has information about Cyprien, his last hours, or the family’s movements that day, please share what is known.