Dallas authorities have arrested 37-year-old Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, a Cuban national, on capital murder charges after he allegedly beheaded motel manager Chandra “Bob” Nagamallaiah, 50, in front of his wife and son.
The attack reportedly stemmed from an argument at the Downtown Suites motel over a broken washing machine and miscommunication; Cobos-Martinez is accused of retrieving a machete, chasing Nagamallaiah to the motel office, and continuing the assault despite attempts by family to intervene.
President Donald Trump responded publicly via Truth Social Sunday night, condemning the killing as “terrible” and declaring that “the time for being soft on these Illegal Immigrant Criminals is OVER under my watch.” He criticized what he called previous failures in immigration enforcement, blamed the prior administration, and promised the suspect would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, including first-degree murder charges.
ICE records and court documents show Cobos-Martinez had a criminal history including arrests for auto theft, assault, and false imprisonment. He was reportedly released earlier this year after Cuba declined to accept him due to his criminal record, prompting an ICE hold that could not be enforced.
The case has ignited debate over immigration policy, legal accountability, and public safety, especially in light of the brutal nature of the crime and the presence of the victim’s family during the attack. As the investigation continues, Dallas authorities say psychological evaluations and surveillance footage will be central in court proceedings.
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