Two Dead In Domestic Violence Incident

"SILVER CITY, NM — A Silver City man shot and killed his girlfriend Saturday night and then turned the gun on himself.

"Silver City Police officers responded to reports of shots fired at 11:09 p.m. Saturday night at the Gateway Apartments, at 2709 Leslie Road, according to a news release from the Department. Several callers reported shots being fired and one caller indicated the shots came from the apartment above them and they could also hear a female crying.

"Upon arrival, officers found two people dead from gunshot wounds to the head at the top of the stairs outside the front door to Apartment 31. Steve Becerra, 50, and Mary Portillo, 49, were boyfriend and girlfriend and were living in apartment 31 with Portillo's 8-year-old daughter, according to the release.

"The daughter was inside the apartment at the time of the shooting and was not hurt.

"According to the initial investigation, it appears to have been a domestic violence incident. The victims were found next to each other with a 9 mm handgun believed to have been used in the incident. Preliminary indications are that Becerra may have shot Portillo and then himself. Both bodies have been sent to the Office of the Medical Examiner in Albuquerque for autopsies. The next of kin has been notified.

"At this point in the investigation, it is unclear as to what prompted the shooting. The investigation into the incident is continuing, the report states. No further information was available."

Source: Silver City Sun-News...