Caldwell woman found dead in Ontario home; one charged with murder

Idaho Press-Tribune Staff
newsroom@idahopress.com
http://www.idahopress.com/news/?id=12797

ONTARIO, Ore. - In a second incidence of weekend violence in Ontario, a Caldwell woman was found dead in a residence with a gunshot wound. Police are calling it murder, and one arrest has been made.

On Sunday morning at about 10 a.m., Ontario Police officers arrived at the 500 block of Southeast 7th Avenue regarding an unattended death and discovered the body of 20-year-old Apolonia Deleon of Caldwell. Officers suspected Deleon had been shot, but the official cause of death is still under the investigation of the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office in Portland. That autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.

Marcos Delafuente, 34, was arrested and is being held in the Malheur County Jail, charged with the murder of Deleon, according to Ontario Captain Mark Alexander.

It's the second homicide case in two days for Ontario investigators. Deleon's death comes on the heels of a fatal Ontario shooting Saturday.

At about 7 a.m., officers were sent to the Fairview Apartments on the 500 block of Northwest 9th Street regarding numerous gunshots.

The gunfire killed 25-year-old Rudy Mata of Ontario, who was transported to Holy Rosary Medical Center where he later died.Investigators described the shooting as gang-related.

Mata's brother, Gonzalo Mata, 26, also of Ontario, was also shot. He was transported to Holy Rosary Medical Center where he was treated and released.

Gonzalo Mata was arrested on charges of attempted murder and is being held in the Malheur County Jail. Another Ontario man was also arrested in the incident. Amando Torres Jr., 25, of Ontario, was arrested for murder and attempted murder for the injuries to Gonzalo Mata and the death of Rudy Mata.

A Nyssa, Ore., man, Oscar Garcia III, 23, fled the scene and was arrested later Saturday. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder for the injuries to Gonzalo Mata and the death of Rudy Mata.

The investigation into Saturday's fatal shooting is still under investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.