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.

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