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Teenage couple arrested, charged with capital murder in shooting death of 16-year-old, police say

Denton police responded to an unconscious person call near Denia Park at Roselawn Drive and Bernard Street. The 911 caller reported a male driver was unresponsive.
Credit: KCEN

DENTON, Texas — Two people have been arrested and are facing capital murder charges in a fatal Feb. 3 shooting where a 16-year-old was killed. 

At 11:37 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, Denton police and fire responded to an unconscious person call near Denia Park at Roselawn Drive and Bernard Street. The 911 caller reported that a male driver was unresponsive, and there was a bullet hole in the vehicle’s window, police said.

First responders found the victim, later identified as 16-year-old Ely Mendez-Gomez, had been shot. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, and he was later pronounced dead.

Denton police said 19-year-old Marcus Williams was arrested Wednesday, Feb. 28. Police said detectives found that Williams had followed Mendez-Gomez's vehicle throughout the night before fatally shooting him near Denia Park.

According to police, 17-year-old Gabrielle Cortes, who is dating Williams, was in Mendez-Gomez's vehicle when the shooting happened. After arresting Williams, Denton police said detectives uncovered that Cortes had conspired with Williams to rob Mendez-Gomez.

Cortes was then arrested on Thursday, Feb. 29 and charged with capital murder, as well.

Police said Cortes was in the City of Denton Jail with a bond set at $250,000, and Williams was in the Denton County Jail on a bond of $500,000. 

Williams was initially arrested on a murder charge, but Denton police said Williams' charge is expected to be upgraded to capital murder after being filed with the district attorney's office.

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