Topline: Authorities allege the shooting was focused on killing a man who had been romantically involved with the girlfriend of one of the suspects.
Published: April 2, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Fernando Amaya, left, and Christopher Luna (via Houston Police)
HOUSTON, TX — Police say two men fired nearly 100 shots into an apartment complex, killing one and injuring another, but neither were their intended target, which turned out to be a romantic rival of one of the shooters.
According to the Houston Police Department, Christopher Portillo Luna and Fernando Amaya, both 17, have been charged with murder and related crimes in connection to the death of Marcos Cotto Torres, 41.
Police say officers responded to a “person down call” at an apartment complex in the 7500 block of Cook Road on Tuesday, March 18.
A man was found with an apparent gunshot wound outside an apartment. Officers then found an unresponsive Marcos Torres inside the apartment, who also had been shot.
Paramedics pronounced Torres dead at the scene.
The wounded male was transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.
According to police, investigation and witness statements identified Amaya as a suspect in this incident.
The second suspect was later identified as Luna and with the assistance of the Westside Patrol Gang Unit and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.
Additional investigation and evidence from the scene determined Amaya and Luna arrived and fled in a white full-size SUV of unknown make or model.
Amaya was later arrested at a family member’s residence the same morning of the shooting. Luna was taken into custody on Thursday, March 27.
Amaya is charged with murder, aggravated assault of a family member and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Luna faces a charge of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Investigators indicated in an arrest affidavit acquired by Law&Crime that another resident in the apartment told police his juvenile sister was dating Amaya.
The juvenile was allegedly cheating on Amaya with another resident of the apartment, but he was uninjured in the shooting, police said.
The juvenile later told investigators that Amaya threatened to shoot up the apartment and then kill himself, according to court documents.
Police say 84 spent shell casings from an AK-style rifle were found at the scene.
Both suspects are in jail—Luna with bail denied and Amaya with bonds totaling $1.5 million. They’re due in court on April 29.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Authorities allege the shooting was focused on killing a man who had been romantically involved with the girlfriend of one of the suspects.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 2, 2025 7:00 am ET
Fernando Amaya, left, and Christopher Luna (via Houston Police)
HOUSTON, TX — Police say two men fired nearly 100 shots into an apartment complex, killing one and injuring another, but neither were their intended target, which turned out to be a romantic rival of one of the shooters.
According to the Houston Police Department, Christopher Portillo Luna and Fernando Amaya, both 17, have been charged with murder and related crimes in connection to the death of Marcos Cotto Torres, 41.
Police say officers responded to a “person down call” at an apartment complex in the 7500 block of Cook Road on Tuesday, March 18.
A man was found with an apparent gunshot wound outside an apartment. Officers then found an unresponsive Marcos Torres inside the apartment, who also had been shot.
Paramedics pronounced Torres dead at the scene.
The wounded male was transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.
According to police, investigation and witness statements identified Amaya as a suspect in this incident.
The second suspect was later identified as Luna and with the assistance of the Westside Patrol Gang Unit and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.
Additional investigation and evidence from the scene determined Amaya and Luna arrived and fled in a white full-size SUV of unknown make or model.
Amaya was later arrested at a family member’s residence the same morning of the shooting. Luna was taken into custody on Thursday, March 27.
Amaya is charged with murder, aggravated assault of a family member and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Luna faces a charge of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Investigators indicated in an arrest affidavit acquired by Law&Crime that another resident in the apartment told police his juvenile sister was dating Amaya.
The juvenile was allegedly cheating on Amaya with another resident of the apartment, but he was uninjured in the shooting, police said.
The juvenile later told investigators that Amaya threatened to shoot up the apartment and then kill himself, according to court documents.
Police say 84 spent shell casings from an AK-style rifle were found at the scene.
Both suspects are in jail—Luna with bail denied and Amaya with bonds totaling $1.5 million. They’re due in court on April 29.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Killed, Another Injured in Shooting Aimed at Romantic Rival—Who Escaped Uninjured
Authorities allege the shooting was focused on killing a man who had been romantically involved with the girlfriend of one of the suspects.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 2, 2025 7:00 am ET
Fernando Amaya, left, and Christopher Luna (via Houston Police)
HOUSTON, TX — Police say two men fired nearly 100 shots into an apartment complex, killing one and injuring another, but neither were their intended target, which turned out to be a romantic rival of one of the shooters.
According to the Houston Police Department, Christopher Portillo Luna and Fernando Amaya, both 17, have been charged with murder and related crimes in connection to the death of Marcos Cotto Torres, 41.
Police say officers responded to a “person down call” at an apartment complex in the 7500 block of Cook Road on Tuesday, March 18.
A man was found with an apparent gunshot wound outside an apartment. Officers then found an unresponsive Marcos Torres inside the apartment, who also had been shot.
Paramedics pronounced Torres dead at the scene.
The wounded male was transported to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries.
According to police, investigation and witness statements identified Amaya as a suspect in this incident.
The second suspect was later identified as Luna and with the assistance of the Westside Patrol Gang Unit and the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force.
Additional investigation and evidence from the scene determined Amaya and Luna arrived and fled in a white full-size SUV of unknown make or model.
Amaya was later arrested at a family member’s residence the same morning of the shooting. Luna was taken into custody on Thursday, March 27.
Amaya is charged with murder, aggravated assault of a family member and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Luna faces a charge of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Investigators indicated in an arrest affidavit acquired by Law&Crime that another resident in the apartment told police his juvenile sister was dating Amaya.
The juvenile was allegedly cheating on Amaya with another resident of the apartment, but he was uninjured in the shooting, police said.
The juvenile later told investigators that Amaya threatened to shoot up the apartment and then kill himself, according to court documents.
Police say 84 spent shell casings from an AK-style rifle were found at the scene.
Both suspects are in jail—Luna with bail denied and Amaya with bonds totaling $1.5 million. They’re due in court on April 29.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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