HOUSTON, TX — A second suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred earlier this month at an apartment complex in southwest Houston, police announced Friday.
Christopher Portillo Luna, 17, has been charged with murder in the 351st State District Court and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 228th State District Court following the March 18 shooting at 7500 Cook Road. He is the second teen suspect charged in the case.
Fernando Amaya, 17, was previously taken into custody and charged with murder, aggravated assault of a family member, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 488th State District Court.
The victim, identified as 41-year-old Marcos Cotto Torres, was found dead inside an apartment at the complex just before 1 a.m. after officers responded to a report of a person down. Another male, found outside the apartment with a gunshot wound, was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“Officers found an unresponsive man inside the apartment who also had been shot,” Houston Police Department detectives A. Finlay and B. Stephens said. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.
According to police, initial investigations and witness statements pointed to Amaya as a suspect. Detectives later determined that both Amaya and another male suspect had arrived and fled the scene in a white full-size SUV of an unknown make or model.
Amaya was arrested later that morning at a family member’s residence. Luna was later identified and taken into custody before charges were filed.
Key Points:
- Christopher Portillo Luna, 17, charged with murder and aggravated assault in March 18 shooting.
- Victim, Marcos Cotto Torres, 41, was found shot dead at a Cook Road apartment complex.
- Co-suspect Fernando Amaya, 17, was previously arrested and charged with multiple offenses.