HOUSTON, TEXAS – Two teenagers, Fernando Amaya and Christopher Portillo Luna, both 17, have been arrested and charged with murder following a deadly shooting incident in west Houston on March 18, 2025.
The two teens are accused of firing a hail of bullets at the apartment of a man they believed was involved with Amaya’s girlfriend, who they believed was cheating. However, the attack went tragically wrong. Marcos Cotto Torres, 41, was killed in the shooting, while another man was injured.
Details of the Incident
Police were called to an apartment complex just before 1 a.m. on March 18, where they found Cotto Torres unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom, suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and other parts of his body.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. A second victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to his buttocks, was transported to the hospital for medical treatment.
The Shooter’s Motive
According to the police report, Amaya had believed his girlfriend was cheating on him with another man who lived in the apartment. In a fit of anger, he and Portillo Luna allegedly went to the apartment to confront the perceived rival.
However, the intended target managed to escape unscathed, and instead, Cotto Torres was fatally shot. Another occupant of the apartment stated that Amaya had previously threatened to shoot up the apartment and even mentioned plans to kill himself after the incident.
Surveillance Footage and Evidence
Following the shooting, investigators reviewed surveillance footage, which showed the suspects fleeing the scene in a white SUV belonging to a family member. Police also discovered 84 spent shell casings from an AK-style rifle at the crime scene.
The apartment was heavily damaged, with visible bullet holes and boarded-up windows, as seen in footage from local news.
Arrests and Charges
Amaya was arrested hours after the shooting, while Portillo Luna was taken into custody on March 20, 2025. Both teenagers are facing murder charges, along with other related charges. They are being held on bonds of over $1 million each, with their next court date scheduled for April 29, 2025.
Investigation and Legal Consequences
The case highlights the devastating consequences of a misplaced belief in romantic jealousy, leading to violence and the tragic loss of life. Authorities have expressed concern over the escalation of violence stemming from personal conflicts, which has led to both fatalities and injuries.