OCEANSIDE, Calif. (CBS 8) - A fugitive husband, suspected of shooting his wife to death in front of their two young children, has a criminal history that includes spousal rape and a number of parole violations.
Dontaye Henderson, 28, remains at large after allegedly shooting his wife in the chest on New Year's Day inside their Oceanside apartment on Paseo de Laura.
Police say Henderson called 911 after the shooting to report his wife, 25-year-old Tamara Henderson, had been injured.
One neighbor told News 8 she overheard the couple's 6-year-old daughter tell police, "Daddy shot mommy in the chest." The daughter and her two-year-old brother were inside the apartment at the time of the shooting, police said.
"It's important for the public to know, if they see Dontaye (Henderson), he is considered armed and dangerous," said Oceanside police lieutenant Leonard Mata. "It's a dangerous situation. He knows he's wanted. He's on active parole."
Court records show Henderson pleaded guilty to spousal rape of his previous wife in 2003.
The records say Henderson was suicidal when he lured the woman into a hotel room, telling the aspiring actress he had set up a singing audition there.
He then threatened suicide and sexually assaulted her at knife point, the court records detail.
At sentencing, Henderson had numerous supporters who wrote letters to the judge, including his pastor from Georgia and his mother. Ruth Henderson pleaded that her son not be sent to prison, writing: "Love makes people sometimes do crazy things."
A psychological evaluation ordered before sentencing in the criminal case concluded, "(Henderson) would be a threat or danger if free in the community."
The judge sentenced Henderson to three years in prison. He served less than two years and Henderson was paroled in December of 2005, prison records show.
After his release, Henderson violated the terms of his parole at least two times. Parole records show he was returned to prison for those violations in both 2007 and 2008. His most recent release from custody was in August 2008, the records state.
"People need to be careful. Don't try to detain this man if he's seen," Lt. Mata said. "Dial 911 if you see him. Get police out there and let them handle it."
A former family member, who did not want to be identified, told News 8 that Henderson frequently passed himself off as a Christian missionary and used religion to manipulate women.
Oceanside police now say a woman identified as Consuelo Ramirez, who was seen with Henderson after the murder, turned herself in to police over the weekend. Ramirez is no longer wanted for questioning and is not considered a suspect.
