Same-Sex Teen Couple Shot: Police release description of suspect in Portland, Texas shooting
(CBS) PORTLAND, Texas - An eyewitness to the shooting of a same-sex teen couple in a Texas park has described the suspect as a white male in his 20s with dark hair, standing 5 foot 8 inches tall, and about 140 pounds, according to a statement from the Portland Police Department.
Pictures: Same-sex teen couple shot in South Texas park
Mollie Olgin, 19, and Mary Chapas, 18, were both shot near a scenic overlook in Violet Andrews Park. Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene and Chapas, who was shot in the head, is in stable condition.
According to the statement, witnesses reported seeing several vehicles in the area on the evening of the attacks, which means there may be other witnesses who inadvertently have information about the case.
The statement also reiterated the department's assertion that there is no evidence yet to suspect that the shooting was motivated by a bias against the young women's sexual orientation.
Despite this, the Corpus Christi Caller reports that on Thursday night, the local chapter of Get Equal Texas, an organization advocating equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, gathered in a vigil for the two girls.
"Whether this was a hate crime or not, these two girls were in a relationship," Carolyn Moon told the newspaper. "They were out in the park where any of us could go. That's frightening in itself."
Police are asking anyone with information to call police at 361-777-4444.
