2008-03-06

On March 6, 2008, at 9:03 PM, officers were sent to 308 N. Lincoln on a shooting in progress. Upon arrival they discovered three people had been shot. A suspect had entered the upstairs apartment and had shot Severo Rodriguez, H/M 11, several times when he answered the door. The suspect entered the apartment and shot Jesus Rubio, H/M 44, a single time in the upper body and then shot Ricardo Chairez, H/M 15 in the leg. The suspect then fled the scene in a pick-up.

All three of the victims were taken to NWTH where Severo and Jesus died from their wounds. Ricardo was treated and released.

Over the next several hours the Special Crimes unit with the assistance of several officers were able to determine that the suspects in these shootings was Marcos Portillo, H/M 20. Marcos was questioned and was booked on two counts of Murder, which were later indicted as Capital Murder.

It was determined that Marcos was assisted by his brother Gonzalo Portillo, H/M 21, who helped by hiding evidence. Gonzalo was charged with Tampering with Evidence.

It was believed that this incident occurred over a previous fight and vandalism.

On June 24, 2008 the Special Crimes unit was contacted to investigate the death of Marcos Portillo at the Potter County Correction Center. It was determined that Marcos had taken his own life by hanging himself. The Capital Murder case against Marcos was dismissed. The Tampering with Evidence case against Gonzalo Portillo is still pending a trial in Potter County.