Marine Killed by Cops Linked to 2 Deaths
May 27, 2013— -- Police today identified a U.S. Marine accused of a drive-by shooting rampage that left one woman dead and five others injured in Texas, and said they believe he is also be responsible for the death of another woman in North Carolina the day before.
Esteban J. Smith, 23, was killed in a shootout with police early Sunday morning after randomly firing on five vehicles from his pickup truck as he drove around Concho County, Texas, according to Tom Vinger, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Smith is an active duty Marine stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. His rank and service record have not been made public.
He allegedly began the spree around 4:30 a.m. Sunday, opening fire on a vehicle in Eden, Concho County, where a woman was wounded.
He then allegedly fired at a car at a convenience store, injuring two people.
The next shooting occured at approximately 5:30 a.m. back in Eden, where another woman was injured.
None of the four were seriously hurt.
Just after 6 a.m., the Concho County Sheriff's Office received a call about shots fired, and when they investigated found a woman shot to death in her car in Eola.
The deceased woman has been identified as Alicia Torres, 42.
When Concho County Sheriff Richard Doane caught up with the suspect about 15 minutes later, Smith allegedly opened fire on his vehicle, wounding him.
Highway Patrol troopers and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden arrived on the scene, and Smith engaged them in a firefight. He was killed in the shootout.
Police discovered "an assault rifle, a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition" at the scene, according to Vinger.
Smith has also been linked to the death of another woman, whose body was found on Sunday at the Sunset Inn motel in Jacksonville, N.C., police said.
There are more than 1,500 miles separating the two incidents.
