Diana Lalchan charged with killing Christopher Lalchan in SW shooting
A 27-year-old pharmacist with Walter Reed is in custody and charged with second-degree murder in her husband's death in Southwest Washington.{}
The shooting took place at the Carrollsburg Condominiums on 4th Street SW Thursday. Police say the victim, Christopher Lalchan, and the suspect, Diana Lalchan, were married for four years. The homicide is being investigated as a domestic incident.
According to court documents, Lalchan called 911 just after midnight and told the operator she had shot her husband. She later told police she was the victim of domestic abuse, but detectives said no reports of abuse were ever filed.
Her husband was found face down in the living room with a bullet wound to his head.
“I am really taken aback,” says neighbor Alexandria McBride. “I have seen them on the elevator a few times. They seemed like a normal couple.”
“No, we don’t know and honestly no one is saying anything,” says Leon Tarrant, also a neighbor.
Court records show police found four unregistered handguns inside the home.
“This speaks to the gun violence,” says McBride. “I don’t agree with anyone having guns.”
Lalchan reportedly explained she and her husband had been arguing that night and that he put a gun on the television stand. According to court records, she said her husband told her he was placing the gun on the stand to make her feel safe. As he walked away, without provocation, she picked up the .40 caliber pistol and fired it at him three times, striking him once in the head. Court documents show Lalchan said her husband “did not physically assault her that night nor did he threaten physical harm.”
“I just heard this through the grapevine and am just wondering what in the world is going on. It is bizarre,” says Tarrant.
Walter Reed stated it can't comment on the incident.
"We are aware of the charge and we cannot comment about an ongoing investigation," says Sandy Dean, spokesperson for Walter Reed in Bethesda.{}
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