Teen shot by police a suspect in girlfriend's slaying

KERRVILLE — Police are investigating whether a teenager shot dead by officers after brandishing a gun at a local park early Monday had killed his girlfriend, whose body was discovered at her home here about the same time.

Mario Ramirez, 17, died at Peterson Regional Medical Center of wounds suffered about 12:54 a.m. when, police say, he was shot by officers responding to a disturbance call at Guadalupe Street Park.

As that deadly encounter occurred, officers discovered the body of Ramirez's girlfriend, Linda Lopez, 20, at her home in the 400 block of Barker Street, Kerrville police Capt. David Knight said.

Knight said no one witnessed the shooting of Lopez, but he described Ramirez as “the prime suspect” in her death and suggested jealousy as a motive.

Autopsies are pending in Travis County on Lopez and Ramirez, who each were shot multiple times.

Knight did not identify the four officers — now on administrative duty — who shot at Ramirez when he reportedly pointed his handgun at them.

He said the Texas Rangers will investigate the officer-related shootings. The department also will conduct an internal review of the incident.

Knight said the “unfortunate events” unfolded after police received a 911 call at 12:50 a.m. from a man, as yet unidentified, who reported that an armed altercation was expected to occur at Guadalupe Street Park.

Responding officers found nothing but noticed an older-model Ford drive by and park about 150 yards away, Knight said.

The driver, later identified as Ramirez, emerged and walked toward the officers with a gun in his hand, Knight said, and the four officers fired when he refused to drop the gun and pointed it at them.

Police said they were checking to see if Ramirez fired his weapon.

At 12:51 a.m., police logged a 911 call from Lopez's 12-year-old brother, who reported Lopez was bleeding at their home. With police busy at the park, Kerr County sheriff's deputies responded to that call.

Neighbors of Lopez and Ramirez expressed shock over their violent deaths. Knight said the couple had an 8-month-old boy who, along with Lopez's brother, is being cared for by relatives.

“It's so sad,” said Mary Reid, who described Ramirez as “very nice, very respectful.”

Well-wishers left flowers and crosses on Lopez's porch.

“She was a good girl,” said Luis Chavez, 17, who recalled seeing Ramirez at the Lopez home almost daily.

“His parents were here today,” he said Monday.