Ex Arrested After Mother Killed While Child Nearby
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- A woman's ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend have been arrested, accused of killing the victim while her 3-year-old child was nearby. The alleged gunman is the child's father.
Prosecutors believe the suspects planned the killing in advance.
The victim, Blanca Jurado Salas, was shot three times, just feet away from her child, on Oct. 7. The alleged gunman is the child's father.
"We've gathered a lot of evidence and the investigation is ongoing," said Garfield County District Attorney Sherry Caloia.
The gun and ammunition police believe was used in the murder were recovered from the water in the Roaring Fork River.
Investigators believe Salas' ex-boyfriend, Gustavo Olivo-Tellez, shot and killer her. They also believe Olivo-Tellez's current girlfriend, Michelle Castillo, was with him and helped planned the murder.
"We don't know a lot about the suspects, Mr. Olivo-Tellez does appear to be illegal or doesn't have status in this country," said Caloia.
CBS4's Matt Kroschel has learned that Olivo-Tellez had an active domestic violence warrant issued after court records indicate that he allegedly struck Salas in the face.
"Our sheriff's office and Mesa's sheriff's office did an excellent job in getting this case investigated and making an arrest," said Caloia.
Authorities tracked down Olivo-Tellez in Grand Junction where he was arrested by a SWAT team the day after the murder. Prosecutors have charged Castillo with accessory to murder. She allegedly told investigators that she was with Olivo-Tellez and purchased the ammunition used in the deadly shooting.
Both suspects remain in custody. The child has been placed with relatives.
This is the first murder in Garfield County this year.
