Thread: More details released in deadly Plano shooting

More details released in deadly Plano shooting
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com
Published: Saturday, June 25, 2011 12:48 PM CDT
PLANO -- Recently released information sheds more light on the murder of 50-year-old Ismael Torres of Plano.


Edgar Alberto Romo, 20, was charged June 18 with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Court documents show he was related to Torres and a second victim found shot at the scene.

Plano police officers responded to the shooting just before 6 p.m. on June 17 in the 800 block of 19th Street. There, they found Ismael Torres' deceased body in the living room and a young woman on the couch with a gunshot wound to her head.

Despite the injury, Gabriella Torres was able to tell police it was her stepbrother, Romo, who shot her. Ismael was Romo's stepfather.

It is unclear why Romo allegedly targeted the family members, but cellphone records show Romo called his stepsister approximately 13 minutes before 911 dispatchers were alerted of the shooting.

Gabriella Torres was taken to Medical Center of Plano with life-threatening injuries. The hospital could not confirm if she was still in critical condition.

Police tracked Romo to a hotel room in Dallas hours after the shooting. A search warrant shows investigators recovered some clothing, a knife and $800, but a handgun was not found at the crime scene or in the hotel room.

A search of Romo's vehicle also did not turn up the murder weapon.

Police obtained a warrant to test Romo's hands for gunshot residue but have not released the results of the tests. Court documents show a bandage was found on the suspect's hands.

Romo is being held at the Collin County Detention Center, where he awaits trial on a $1 million total bond.

Evidence from the home where the victims were shot indicates Romo lived there and had his own bedroom. The relationship between the suspect and victims in this case is relevant because crimes against family members generally result in harsher penalties.

The Texas Family Code describes family violence as "an act by a member of a family or household against another member of the family or household that is intended to result in physical harm, bodily injury, assault or sexual assault ..." For aggravated assault committed against a family member, the charge can be upgraded from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony.

"Family violence has always been a high priority in law enforcement, and that's why there is a greater emphasis on it," Officer Andrae Smith said.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a federal detainer for Romo, which could indicate he violated immigration laws.


Photo courtesy of Plano Police Department -- On Saturday, Plano police arrested Edgar Alberto Romo, 20, in connection with the Friday shooting death of 50-year-old Plano resident Ismaell Torres. Romo has been charged with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held on $1 million bond.

http://www.scntx.com/articles/2011/06/2 ... te/153.txt

Here's the first article about the murder:

One dead in Plano shooting
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com
Published: Friday, June 17, 2011 10:04 PM CDT
PLANO - Plano Police detectives are investigating a shooting that occurred just before 6 p.m. Friday east of U.S. Central Expressway.


A man was found dead inside a home in the 800 block of 19th Street, and a woman was taken by ambulance to an area hospital to be treated for her injuries.

Officer David Tilley said fire department personnel were the first to arrive on the scene after 911 dispatch received a hang-up call. A dispatcher called the number back and was able to get information about where a shooting had taken place.

"We were able to make contact at the residence," Tilley said.

Tilley described the deceased as a Hispanic male in his late 40s to early 50s. The injured woman was also Hispanic but younger, possibly in her 20s.

"There are a lot of unknowns right now," Tilley said. "We are still trying to figure out who lives in the residence and who the victims are."

Tilley said detectives were speaking with a third person, who could either be a witness or suspect. It is unclear right now whether the shooting was intentional or accidental or if the female victim was shot or if she was injured in another manner.

"We do not know for certain the extent of her injuries," Tilley said.

Neighbors standing across the street claimed to know a man and his daughter who lived at the house, which was surrounded by crime scene tape. One neighbor said he saw the resident at work this morning before he was sent home by their boss.

"He was a good guy," the neighbor said.

Another neighbor said she saw a woman arrive at the home who was later taken away for questioning by police.

Police are hoping to know more about the incident later this evening.

http://www.scntx.com/articles/2011/06/1 ... news/1.txt

Now here's the second article published the day after the first:

Police make arrest in Plano shooting
By Jessica Rush, jrush@acnpapers.com
Published: Saturday, June 18, 2011 5:49 PM CDT
PLANO -- The Plano Police Department has arrested Edgar Alberto Romo in connection with a deadly shooting that happened Friday evening, and they say the suspect knew his victims.


Romo, a 20-year-old Plano resident, was charged Saturday with murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Officer David Tilley said fire department personnel were the first to arrive on the scene after 911 dispatch received a hang-up call just before 6 p.m. Friday. A dispatcher called the number back and was able to get information about a shooting that had taken place in the 800 block of 19th Street in Plano.

Officers found two gunshot victims inside the home. They say 50-year-old Ismaell Torres was dead when they arrived.

Police are not releasing the identity of the Hispanic woman who was injured. She was found inside the home with a gunshot wound and was later transported to an area hospital, where she is in currently in critical condition.

Romo is being held at the Collin County Detention Center on a $1 million total bond.

http://www.scntx.com/articles/2011/06/1 ... news/1.txt

I think Secy of State Clinton should speak with Prez. Calderon about this. His people are far, far too violent and he encourages them to come here.

I noticed that the crime was reported the very day it occurred. The 'suspect' was apprehended the next day and that too was reported that day. Yet a full week passed before it is reported the 'suspect' may be an illegal alien.

Thing that make you go Hmm.