NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Police Charge Husband In Domestic Homicide

Police Charge Husband In Domestic Homicide

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A woman was fatally stabbed late Monday afternoon inside an apartment at 756 Lenore Street. Police identified the victim as 56-year-old Yoranda Ntahomvukiye. Officers charged Ntahomvukiye's husband, 63-year-old Pascal Gahungu, with criminal homicide.

After conducting an investigation, police said that Gahungu was angry at his wife over domestic issues and repeatedly stabbed her at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday. The couple's 20-year-old son, Hitimana Noel, heard his mother screaming and wrestled his father to the floor to stop the attack. 

Gahungu then unsuccessfully attempted to stab his son in the leg as he was being held.  Noel released Gahungu after east precinct patrol officers arrived. 

Also present in the apartment during the attack were the couple's 26-year-old son and 7-year-old granddaughter.

According to police, the parties are recent immigrants from Africa and only the 7-year-old child spoke English. Due to language issues, a family associate assisted detectives in taking initial witness statements. 

Later, a representative from the Tennessee Foreign Language Institute came to the east precinct and assisted in the more detailed interviews, including the interview of Gahungu.

Tune in to NewsChannel 5 tonight at 5 p.m. to see how officials said the case would have been handled if the English Only Amendment had already passed.

Police also charged Gahungu with attempted criminal homicide for trying to stab Noel.

Tuesday afternoon, Gahungu was being held in lieu of $1.25 million bond.