A 39-year-old man from Gaithersburg, Luis Antonio Quintanilla, has been detained in a Texas jail over allegations of fatally shooting his partner, 35-year-old Maritza Ferman Sorto, in what authorities have deemed a domestic-related homicide. The incident took place in Montgomery County, where law enforcement responded to a distressing 911 call, according to the Montgomery County Police Department.
In a turn of events, it was on Sunday when the Emergency Communications Center was alerted to the shooting at roughly 2:42 a.m. on Centerway Road. Quintanilla, who shared the residence with Sorto, was not present when police arrived. Emergency responders found Sorto with injuries, but despite their attempts to quickly save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives from the Major Crimes Division – Homicide Section proceeded to thoroughly investigate, and they concluded Quintanilla was to directly be responsible for the death of Sorto. A warrant for first-degree murder was promptly issued for his arrest.
The search for Quintanilla concluded the next day in Irving, Texas. Authorities were tipped off by individuals familiar with the suspect who were aware that he was a wanted man. The information led to Quintanilla's arrest without further incident. As per official reports, the response by the Irving Police Department was swift following the provided leads.
Quintanilla is currently being held in detention by Texas authorities until he can be to formally extradited to Maryland to answer for the allegations against him. Details of the events leading up to the shooting have yet to be released as the case unfolds and is subject to ongoing investigation.
