Authorities in New Bedford, Massachusetts, have apprehended 49-year-old Wilo Morales-Colon in connection to the fatal shooting of Karina Martinez-Ortiz, according to information released by the Bristol County District Attorney's office. On the night of the incident, police and EMS were called to the scene around 6:20 p.m. on Tuesday, discovering Martinez-Ortiz, aged 32, lying in a pool of blood in a first-floor hallway at 438 Bolton St., reports NBC Boston. She was found with serious injuries and later succumbed to gunshot wounds at St. Luke's Hospital.
Charged with murder and unlawful carrying of a firearm, Morales-Colon, found in Springfield, was taken into custody early this morning. The victim and the accused, who were neighbors, shared a past personal relationship, revealed the district attorney's office. Soon after the arrest, he was scheduled for arraignment in New Bedford District Court.
According to coverage from WJAR, Morales-Colon was located after a warranted arrest had been secured. The relationship between Morales-Colon and Martinez-Ortiz is considered to be a significant factor in the ongoing investigation into this tragic event.
The case continues to resonate within the New Bedford community as details emerge and legal proceedings against Morales-Colon unfold. He was arraigned on the charges pertinent to the death of Martinez-Ortiz, with law enforcement believing that examining the tie between the accused and the victim will yield insights into the motive behind the shooting.
