Man shot by Flint police after allegedly firing at them
The Flint Journal
December 27, 2007
The Flint Journal
December 27, 2007
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2007/12/man_shot_by_flint_police_after.html
FLINT -- Enrique "Ricky" Torres and his wife Rebecca didn't always get along, but family members thought the Flint couple's relationship had been on even keel through the holidays.
"There were times when they were separated, like this summer," said Marcus Burden of Flint, one of Becky Torres' brothers. "But when he was drinking, then there were problems."
About 9 a.m. Thursday, Flint police found Rebecca, 35, shot to death in the home she and family rented at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
About 45 minutes later, a veteran Flint police officer, having received a description of Ricky Torres as a suspect in Becky Torres' slaying, spotted him driving a friend's car about a mile away.
According to police, Torres, an employee at Advance Auto Parts in Mt. Morris and a one-time Mt. Morris Township firefighter, initially refused to pull over. With another officer arriving as backup, Torres pulled over on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Then he got out of his car and fired at one of the officers, according to police. The officers, a man and a woman, fired back, striking Torres, 35.
He was listed in stable condition Thursday at Hurley Medical Center after undergoing surgery. He is expected to face a murder charge in the death of his wife.
The couple has two children -- one a teen and one a middle-schooler, said Burden, but they had been staying with their grandparents in Mayville.
"This is so senseless," he said about the slaying of his sister.
Other family members and friends echoed Burden's comments, but didn't want to be quoted.
But one said Ricky Torres had resigned as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter about a year ago. He and his wife and family had lived in the township for years before moving into the Cape Cod-style house on LeErda.
Relatives said that Becky Torres worked as a manager of a blood bank in north Flint. Burden said he or his parents likely would be the guardians for her children.
It was not clear initially whether both of the officers who fired at Ricky Torres struck him, or if only one did, but he was initially said to have been in critical condition when he went into surgery. In the meantime, state police evidence technicians were called to the scene from the crime lab at Bridgeport.
Police said the events begin about 9 a.m. when 911 dispatchers got a call from a man described as Ricky Torres' boss. He reportedly told them of a conversation he'd had with Torres in which Torres spoke of killing his wife. Flint officers who went to the house on LeErda found her shot to death in an upstairs room.
Acting Flint Police Chief Gary Hagler said that although the shooting of Torres was under investigation, he was sure the officers "did what they had to do in order to return safely to their families."
Hagler said that Torres had more than one weapon in the car when he attempted to shoot the officers.
The president of the union that represents Flint officers said the incident demonstrates how dangerous it is for police to patrol the city in one-man vehicles.
"We very easily could be planning an officer's funeral," said Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Union. "The guy's (Torres') shot was very close and if (the female officer) hadn't arrived to back up (the male officer), he could have been hit instead of the other way around."
In the past, most city patrol officers were assigned two per vehicles, but that changed in fall 2006 when Flint Mayor Don Williamson, in restructuring the police department, ordered that all patrol cruisers and SUVs be staffed with only one officer.
The union has maintained that making all patrol vehicle's "one-man" cars and SUVs places officers in greater danger.
The officer who stopped Torres was suffering some deafness in one of his ears from being in such close proximity to the suspect when he fired, Speer said, but was otherwise alright.
FLINT -- Enrique "Ricky" Torres and his wife Rebecca didn't always get along, but family members thought the Flint couple's relationship had been on even keel through the holidays.
"There were times when they were separated, like this summer," said Marcus Burden of Flint, one of Becky Torres' brothers. "But when he was drinking, then there were problems."
About 9 a.m. Thursday, Flint police found Rebecca, 35, shot to death in the home she and family rented at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
About 45 minutes later, a veteran Flint police officer, having received a description of Ricky Torres as a suspect in Becky Torres' slaying, spotted him driving a friend's car about a mile away.
According to police, Torres, an employee at Advance Auto Parts in Mt. Morris and a one-time Mt. Morris Township firefighter, initially refused to pull over. With another officer arriving as backup, Torres pulled over on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Then he got out of his car and fired at one of the officers, according to police. The officers, a man and a woman, fired back, striking Torres, 35.
He was listed in stable condition Thursday at Hurley Medical Center after undergoing surgery. He is expected to face a murder charge in the death of his wife.
The couple has two children -- one a teen and one a middle-schooler, said Burden, but they had been staying with their grandparents in Mayville.
"This is so senseless," he said about the slaying of his sister.
Other family members and friends echoed Burden's comments, but didn't want to be quoted.
But one said Ricky Torres had resigned as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter about a year ago. He and his wife and family had lived in the township for years before moving into the Cape Cod-style house on LeErda.
Relatives said that Becky Torres worked as a manager of a blood bank in north Flint. Burden said he or his parents likely would be the guardians for her children.
It was not clear initially whether both of the officers who fired at Ricky Torres struck him, or if only one did, but he was initially said to have been in critical condition when he went into surgery. In the meantime, state police evidence technicians were called to the scene from the crime lab at Bridgeport.
Police said the events begin about 9 a.m. when 911 dispatchers got a call from a man described as Ricky Torres' boss. He reportedly told them of a conversation he'd had with Torres in which Torres spoke of killing his wife. Flint officers who went to the house on LeErda found her shot to death in an upstairs room.
Acting Flint Police Chief Gary Hagler said that although the shooting of Torres was under investigation, he was sure the officers "did what they had to do in order to return safely to their families."
Hagler said that Torres had more than one weapon in the car when he attempted to shoot the officers.
The president of the union that represents Flint officers said the incident demonstrates how dangerous it is for police to patrol the city in one-man vehicles.
"We very easily could be planning an officer's funeral," said Keith Speer, president of the Flint Police Officers Union. "The guy's (Torres') shot was very close and if (the female officer) hadn't arrived to back up (the male officer), he could have been hit instead of the other way around."
In the past, most city patrol officers were assigned two per vehicles, but that changed in fall 2006 when Flint Mayor Don Williamson, in restructuring the police department, ordered that all patrol cruisers and SUVs be staffed with only one officer.
The union has maintained that making all patrol vehicle's "one-man" cars and SUVs places officers in greater danger.
The officer who stopped Torres was suffering some deafness in one of his ears from being in such close proximity to the suspect when he fired, Speer said, but was otherwise alright.
Police shoot man who fired first; wife dead
The Flint Journal
December 27, 2007
The Flint Journal
December 27, 2007
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2007/12/flint_police_shoot_man_who_fir.html
Police investigate after a man was shot by a uniformed officer on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue on Thursday.
FLINT -- A man was shot by police officers this morning after he reportedly fired at them as they tried to stop his vehicle on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Witnesses said the shooting occurred about 9:45 a.m., after city police were called to 3809 LeErda Ave. on a report of a woman found dead in an upstairs room.
Officers were trying to stop the man in connection with the homicide when he fired shots at them, witnesses said.
Witnesses at the shooting scene said the suspect is a former Mt. Morris Township firefighter, age 35, and that the woman found dead on LeErda was his wife. She died from from a gunshot wound to the chest, police sources said.
The suspect was undergoing surgery this morning at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. His condition was unknown.
Acting Flint Police Chief Gary Hagler said the shooting was under investigation, although his officers "did what they had to do in order to return safely to their families."
Hagler said the suspect had multiple weapons and fired at officers who pulled him over.
Police taped off the area around the Mildred-Gillespie intersection and also were holding down a crime scene at the LeErda address where the woman was found dead.
State police crime lab technicians were called to examine both scenes, police said.
Officers went to the LeErda address after the suspect's employer called 911 to say he had received a phone call from the suspect indicating something had happened to his wife at their home, a small Cape Cod in a neighborhood just north of Pasadena Ave.
Police arrived and found the dead woman.
About 45 minutes later, police spotted the suspect driving a friend's vehicle and tried to stop him. The man fired at officers after a brief pursuit and was shot by a uniformed officer, the witnesses said.
Police investigate after a man was shot by a uniformed officer on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue on Thursday.
FLINT -- A man was shot by police officers this morning after he reportedly fired at them as they tried to stop his vehicle on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Witnesses said the shooting occurred about 9:45 a.m., after city police were called to 3809 LeErda Ave. on a report of a woman found dead in an upstairs room.
Officers were trying to stop the man in connection with the homicide when he fired shots at them, witnesses said.
Witnesses at the shooting scene said the suspect is a former Mt. Morris Township firefighter, age 35, and that the woman found dead on LeErda was his wife. She died from from a gunshot wound to the chest, police sources said.
The suspect was undergoing surgery this morning at Hurley Medical Center in Flint. His condition was unknown.
Acting Flint Police Chief Gary Hagler said the shooting was under investigation, although his officers "did what they had to do in order to return safely to their families."
Hagler said the suspect had multiple weapons and fired at officers who pulled him over.
Police taped off the area around the Mildred-Gillespie intersection and also were holding down a crime scene at the LeErda address where the woman was found dead.
State police crime lab technicians were called to examine both scenes, police said.
Officers went to the LeErda address after the suspect's employer called 911 to say he had received a phone call from the suspect indicating something had happened to his wife at their home, a small Cape Cod in a neighborhood just north of Pasadena Ave.
Police arrived and found the dead woman.
About 45 minutes later, police spotted the suspect driving a friend's vehicle and tried to stop him. The man fired at officers after a brief pursuit and was shot by a uniformed officer, the witnesses said.
Police Exchange Gunfire With Murder Suspect
WNEM News
December 27, 2007
WNEM News
December 27, 2007
http://www.wnem.com/news/14933323/detail.html
SAGINAW, Mich. -- Thursday morning Flint Police were responding to a murder at a home in the 3800 block of LeErda Avenue where they found a woman dead.
Police found 34-year-old Rebecca Torres murdered in her home, with her husband, a former volunteer fireman, as their chief suspect.
When police found Rick Torres, they attempted to pull him over near Gillespie Avenue and Mildred Street, he allegedly shot at them.
Officers shot back, hitting Torres two times.
Torres was taken to Hurley Hospital in critical condition and has had surgery for gunshot wounds.
Flint Police chief Gary Hagler said investigators found numerous weapons in the car and are currently searching for a motive.
"The investigation over the next couple of days will tells us exactly what happened," Hagler said.
"We don’t know what his plans were for the rest of the day," said Hagler. “Obviously, the officers stopping him interrupted what ever those plans were. It came to end where they had to defend themselves using deadly force."
Neighbors said the Torres’s had just gotten back together after a separation and have two teenage children who live with them, a girl and boy.
Marcus Burden is Rebecca Torres’s brother and said they went to church regularly and Rick Torres served as a volunteer firefighter for a time.
Burden said they were great parents who always pushed their children to excel in school and earn scholarships.
No officers were injured in the shootout.
SAGINAW, Mich. -- Thursday morning Flint Police were responding to a murder at a home in the 3800 block of LeErda Avenue where they found a woman dead.
Police found 34-year-old Rebecca Torres murdered in her home, with her husband, a former volunteer fireman, as their chief suspect.
When police found Rick Torres, they attempted to pull him over near Gillespie Avenue and Mildred Street, he allegedly shot at them.
Officers shot back, hitting Torres two times.
Torres was taken to Hurley Hospital in critical condition and has had surgery for gunshot wounds.
Flint Police chief Gary Hagler said investigators found numerous weapons in the car and are currently searching for a motive.
"The investigation over the next couple of days will tells us exactly what happened," Hagler said.
"We don’t know what his plans were for the rest of the day," said Hagler. “Obviously, the officers stopping him interrupted what ever those plans were. It came to end where they had to defend themselves using deadly force."
Neighbors said the Torres’s had just gotten back together after a separation and have two teenage children who live with them, a girl and boy.
Marcus Burden is Rebecca Torres’s brother and said they went to church regularly and Rick Torres served as a volunteer firefighter for a time.
Burden said they were great parents who always pushed their children to excel in school and earn scholarships.
No officers were injured in the shootout.
Husband arrested in wife's death
Suspect shoots at police, is dropped by return fire
Suspect shoots at police, is dropped by return fire
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
December 28, 2007
Police say Enrique "Ricky" Torres was on a cellphone when he was spotted driving after the slaying of his wife. Anyone with information about the call or the slaying is asked to call Flint police Sgt. Jay Parker at (810) 237-6906.
FLINT - Enrique "Ricky" Torres and his wife Rebecca didn't always get along, but family members thought the Flint couple's relationship had been on an even keel through the holidays.
"There were times when they were separated, like this summer," said Marcus Burden of Flint, one of Becky Torres' brothers. "But when he was drinking, then there were problems."
About 9 a.m. Thursday, Flint police found Rebecca, 35, shot to death in the home she and her family rented at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
About 45 minutes later, a veteran Flint police officer, having received a description of the white Chevrolet Lumina that Ricky Torres was believed to be driving as a suspect in Becky Torres' slaying, spotted him driving about a mile away.
According to police, Torres, an employee at Advance Auto Parts in Mt. Morris and a onetime Mt. Morris Township firefighter, initially refused to pull over. With another officer arriving as backup, Torres pulled over on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Then he got out of his car and fired at one of the officers, according to police. The officers fired back, striking Torres, 35. Torres was hit multiple times, including in the face and shoulder, police said.
He was listed in stable condition Thursday at Hurley Medical Center after undergoing surgery. Police said this morning he was in critical condition. He is expected to face a murder charge in the death of his wife.
The couple has two children - one a teen and one a middle-schooler, said Burden - but they had been staying with their grandparents in Mayville.
"This is so senseless," said Burden about the slaying of his sister.
December 28, 2007
Police say Enrique "Ricky" Torres was on a cellphone when he was spotted driving after the slaying of his wife. Anyone with information about the call or the slaying is asked to call Flint police Sgt. Jay Parker at (810) 237-6906.
FLINT - Enrique "Ricky" Torres and his wife Rebecca didn't always get along, but family members thought the Flint couple's relationship had been on an even keel through the holidays.
"There were times when they were separated, like this summer," said Marcus Burden of Flint, one of Becky Torres' brothers. "But when he was drinking, then there were problems."
About 9 a.m. Thursday, Flint police found Rebecca, 35, shot to death in the home she and her family rented at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
About 45 minutes later, a veteran Flint police officer, having received a description of the white Chevrolet Lumina that Ricky Torres was believed to be driving as a suspect in Becky Torres' slaying, spotted him driving about a mile away.
According to police, Torres, an employee at Advance Auto Parts in Mt. Morris and a onetime Mt. Morris Township firefighter, initially refused to pull over. With another officer arriving as backup, Torres pulled over on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Then he got out of his car and fired at one of the officers, according to police. The officers fired back, striking Torres, 35. Torres was hit multiple times, including in the face and shoulder, police said.
He was listed in stable condition Thursday at Hurley Medical Center after undergoing surgery. Police said this morning he was in critical condition. He is expected to face a murder charge in the death of his wife.
The couple has two children - one a teen and one a middle-schooler, said Burden - but they had been staying with their grandparents in Mayville.
"This is so senseless," said Burden about the slaying of his sister.
Flint Home Of Slaying Victim Robbed
WNEM NEWS
December 31, 2007
WNEM NEWS
December 31, 2007
http://www.wnem.com/news/14952098/detail.html
SAGINAW, Mich. -- Flint police said over the weekend someone robbed the house on LeErda Avenue where police found 35-year-old Rebecca Torres killed last week.
The main suspect in her slaying is her husband Rick Torres.
Police tracked him down last week, pulling him over in a vehicle and when they did, they said he tried to shoot at them, so they shot him.
He is in the hospital in police custody.
Rick and Rebecca Torres have two teenage children, a boy and girl, who now have to deal with stolen belongings.
No one was in the home as it was the scene of a recent killing.
Rebecca’s brother Marcus Burden said it is a low blow for two kids who’ve already lost so much.
Family members taking care of the Torres teens said they have no money for a proper funeral and are asking for the public’s help.
Any donations can be dropped off at the Citizens Bank, made out to the Torres' Children Fund.
SAGINAW, Mich. -- Flint police said over the weekend someone robbed the house on LeErda Avenue where police found 35-year-old Rebecca Torres killed last week.
The main suspect in her slaying is her husband Rick Torres.
Police tracked him down last week, pulling him over in a vehicle and when they did, they said he tried to shoot at them, so they shot him.
He is in the hospital in police custody.
Rick and Rebecca Torres have two teenage children, a boy and girl, who now have to deal with stolen belongings.
No one was in the home as it was the scene of a recent killing.
Rebecca’s brother Marcus Burden said it is a low blow for two kids who’ve already lost so much.
Family members taking care of the Torres teens said they have no money for a proper funeral and are asking for the public’s help.
Any donations can be dropped off at the Citizens Bank, made out to the Torres' Children Fund.
Ex-firefighter charged in wife's shooting death
The Flint Journal
Friday January 11, 2008
The Flint Journal
Friday January 11, 2008
http://www.mlive.com/flintjournal/index.ssf/2008/01/exfirefighter_charged_in_wifes.html
FLINT -- A former firefighter suspected of killing his wife and opening fire on two Flint police officers was charged with murder in a warrant issued Friday.
Enrique Torres Jr., 36, of Flint has been under police guard at a local hospital since Dec. 27 when he was shot by police less than a hour after his wife was found dead.
Investigators allege Torres was angry with his wife, Rebecca, 35, and shot her with a .40-caliber pistol inside their rented home at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
He allegedly used the gun in a shoot-out with police on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Torres missed the officers, but he was shot several times.
He is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend and arraigned. He will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Torres faces two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and a count of assault with intent to murder.
Torres worked as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter until about a year ago and recently had been working at an auto parts store.
FLINT -- A former firefighter suspected of killing his wife and opening fire on two Flint police officers was charged with murder in a warrant issued Friday.
Enrique Torres Jr., 36, of Flint has been under police guard at a local hospital since Dec. 27 when he was shot by police less than a hour after his wife was found dead.
Investigators allege Torres was angry with his wife, Rebecca, 35, and shot her with a .40-caliber pistol inside their rented home at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
He allegedly used the gun in a shoot-out with police on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Torres missed the officers, but he was shot several times.
He is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend and arraigned. He will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Torres faces two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and a count of assault with intent to murder.
Torres worked as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter until about a year ago and recently had been working at an auto parts store.
Ex-firefighter charged in wife's shooting death
The Flint Journal
January 11, 2008
The Flint Journal
January 11, 2008
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2008/01/exfirefighter_charged_in_wifes.html
FLINT -- A former firefighter suspected of killing his wife and opening fire on two Flint police officers was charged with murder in a warrant issued Friday.
Enrique Torres Jr., 36, of Flint has been under police guard at a local hospital since Dec. 27 when he was shot by police less than a hour after his wife was found dead.
Investigators allege Torres was angry with his wife, Rebecca, 35, and shot her with a .40-caliber pistol inside their rented home at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
He allegedly used the gun in a shoot-out with police on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Torres missed the officers, but he was shot several times.
He is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend and arraigned. He will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Torres faces two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and a count of assault with intent to murder.
Torres worked as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter until about a year ago and recently had been working at an auto parts store.
FLINT -- A former firefighter suspected of killing his wife and opening fire on two Flint police officers was charged with murder in a warrant issued Friday.
Enrique Torres Jr., 36, of Flint has been under police guard at a local hospital since Dec. 27 when he was shot by police less than a hour after his wife was found dead.
Investigators allege Torres was angry with his wife, Rebecca, 35, and shot her with a .40-caliber pistol inside their rented home at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
He allegedly used the gun in a shoot-out with police on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Torres missed the officers, but he was shot several times.
He is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend and arraigned. He will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Torres faces two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and a count of assault with intent to murder.
Torres worked as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter until about a year ago and recently had been working at an auto parts store.
Ex-firefighter accused of murder in death of wife
FLINT JOURNAL
January 12, 2008
FLINT JOURNAL
January 12, 2008
http://www.mlive.com/news/flintjournal/index.ssf?/base/news-48/1200115283228150.xml&coll=5
FLINT - A former firefighter suspected of killing his wife and opening fire on two Flint police officers was charged with murder in a warrant issued Friday.
Enrique Torres Jr., 36, of Flint has been under police guard at a local hospital since Dec. 27 when he was shot by police less than a hour after his wife was found dead.
Investigators allege Torres was angry with his wife, Rebecca, 35, and shot her with a .40-caliber pistol inside their rented home at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
He allegedly used the gun in a shoot-out with police on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Torres missed the officers, but he was shot several times.
He is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend and arraigned. He will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Torres faces two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and a count of assault with intent to murder.
Torres worked as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter until about a year ago and recently had been working at an auto parts store.
FLINT - A former firefighter suspected of killing his wife and opening fire on two Flint police officers was charged with murder in a warrant issued Friday.
Enrique Torres Jr., 36, of Flint has been under police guard at a local hospital since Dec. 27 when he was shot by police less than a hour after his wife was found dead.
Investigators allege Torres was angry with his wife, Rebecca, 35, and shot her with a .40-caliber pistol inside their rented home at 3809 LeErda Ave., just north of Pasadena Avenue.
He allegedly used the gun in a shoot-out with police on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
Torres missed the officers, but he was shot several times.
He is expected to be released from the hospital this weekend and arraigned. He will be transferred to the Genesee County Jail.
In addition to the murder charge, Torres faces two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and a count of assault with intent to murder.
Torres worked as a Mt. Morris Township firefighter until about a year ago and recently had been working at an auto parts store.
Former Mt. Morris Twp. firefighter sent to forensics in shooting of wife
The Flint Journal
January 18, 2008
The Flint Journal
January 18, 2008
http://blog.mlive.com/flintjournal/newsnow/2008/01/former_mt_morris_twp_firefight.html
A former Mt. Morris Township firefighter who allegedly killed his wife got into a shoot-out with police and was shot by officers as part of a "death wish."
An attorney representing Enrique "Ricky" Torres Jr. asked that his client be sent to a state facility to determine if he is competent for trial and criminally responsible for his actions.
Torres, 36, of Flint, faces murder, assault and weapons charges in the Dec. 27 slaying of his wife, Rebecca R. Torres, after the couple argued in a rented LeErda Ave. residence, just north of Pasadena Avenue.
Flint police found Rebecca Torres, 35, shot to death in the home about 9 a.m.
About 45 minutes later and mile or so from the slaying scene, Flint police spotted a car Torres was driving, but he initially refused to pull over.
Police said Torres eventually pulled over on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
He allegedly got out of his car and fired at one of the officers, who fired back, striking Torres multiple times, including the face and shoulder.
Attorney James J. Zimmer, who represents Torres, asked for the forensic evaluation, saying "a lot of (the incident) doesn't make sense."
He told Flint District Judge William H. Crawford that he has had conversations with Torres since he was released from the hospital and his client "had a death wish" when he started the shoot-out with police.
In other court documents, Zimmer said Torres is unable to discuss facts of the case to assist in his defense, has a lack of memory, and is suffering from psychological problems.
Crawford approved the request to send Torres to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry near Ann Arbor for the evaluation and scheduled a March 25 control date on the case.
Court documents indicate Torres has received substance abuse treatment in the past year, recently lost his house to foreclosure proceedings, and was working part-time at an auto parts store.
Family members earlier said Torres and his wife had a rocky relationship, especially when he was drinking.
They had been separated as recently as last summer, family members said.
Torres, a onetime Mt. Morris Township firefighter, was hospitalized.
A former Mt. Morris Township firefighter who allegedly killed his wife got into a shoot-out with police and was shot by officers as part of a "death wish."
An attorney representing Enrique "Ricky" Torres Jr. asked that his client be sent to a state facility to determine if he is competent for trial and criminally responsible for his actions.
Torres, 36, of Flint, faces murder, assault and weapons charges in the Dec. 27 slaying of his wife, Rebecca R. Torres, after the couple argued in a rented LeErda Ave. residence, just north of Pasadena Avenue.
Flint police found Rebecca Torres, 35, shot to death in the home about 9 a.m.
About 45 minutes later and mile or so from the slaying scene, Flint police spotted a car Torres was driving, but he initially refused to pull over.
Police said Torres eventually pulled over on Mildred Street near Gillespie Avenue.
He allegedly got out of his car and fired at one of the officers, who fired back, striking Torres multiple times, including the face and shoulder.
Attorney James J. Zimmer, who represents Torres, asked for the forensic evaluation, saying "a lot of (the incident) doesn't make sense."
He told Flint District Judge William H. Crawford that he has had conversations with Torres since he was released from the hospital and his client "had a death wish" when he started the shoot-out with police.
In other court documents, Zimmer said Torres is unable to discuss facts of the case to assist in his defense, has a lack of memory, and is suffering from psychological problems.
Crawford approved the request to send Torres to the Center for Forensic Psychiatry near Ann Arbor for the evaluation and scheduled a March 25 control date on the case.
Court documents indicate Torres has received substance abuse treatment in the past year, recently lost his house to foreclosure proceedings, and was working part-time at an auto parts store.
Family members earlier said Torres and his wife had a rocky relationship, especially when he was drinking.
They had been separated as recently as last summer, family members said.
Torres, a onetime Mt. Morris Township firefighter, was hospitalized.
Flint Journal
December 01, 2009
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/12/former_mt_morris_township_fire.html
FLINT, Michigan — A former firefighter will spend at least 30 years in jail for the December 2007 killing of his wife.
Enrique Torres Jr., 38, of Flint, pleaded guilty to second degree murder on Tuesday, stemming from the slaying of his wife, Rebecca, 35, at their rented home on LeErda Avenue, just north of Pasadena.
“Mr. Torres will spend at least the next 30 years in prison for the brutal murder of his wife," said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton in a statement. "The victim’s family is satisfied that justice was done and I agree.”
Torres worked for the Mt. Morris Township Fire Department before heading into other ventures about a year before the murder.
His attorney, Jim Zimmer, called it a "tough case."
"We decided to resolve it instead of (taking a chance with a trial)," he said.
Torres will be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER
WJRT NEWS
DECEMBER 01, 2009
GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) -- (12/01/09)--There will be no trial for the Flint man accused of murdering his wife and then shooting at police nearly two years ago.
Enrique Torres Jr., 38, pleaded guilty Tuesday to second degree murder, assault with intent to murder and two counts of felony firearm.
Flint police found his wife -- 35-year-old Rebecca Torres -- dead in their LeErda Street home Dec. 27, 2007.
Torres Jr.'s trial was scheduled to start Wednesday. A plea deal was reached Tuesday. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says it ensures Torres will spend at least 30 years in prison.
With family members listening and crying, Torres Jr. admitted he shot and killed his wife Rebecca Torres -- the mother of his two children -- nearly two years ago just two days after Christmas.
Torres Jr. told Judge Joseph Farah he used a handgun and he wasn't sure how many times he shot her. Torres also admitted he got into a car, drove away and just rode around for awhile.
Police eventually caught up with him. They were armed and so was he. Torres Jr. was shot by police and arrested.
Torres Jr. will be sentenced in January.
Man will spend 30 to 50 years in prison
ABC News
FLINT, Michigan — A former firefighter will spend at least 30 years in jail for the December 2007 killing of his wife.
Enrique Torres Jr., 38, of Flint, pleaded guilty to second degree murder on Tuesday, stemming from the slaying of his wife, Rebecca, 35, at their rented home on LeErda Avenue, just north of Pasadena.
“Mr. Torres will spend at least the next 30 years in prison for the brutal murder of his wife," said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton in a statement. "The victim’s family is satisfied that justice was done and I agree.”
Torres worked for the Mt. Morris Township Fire Department before heading into other ventures about a year before the murder.
His attorney, Jim Zimmer, called it a "tough case."
"We decided to resolve it instead of (taking a chance with a trial)," he said.
Torres will be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 8
MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SECOND DEGREE MURDER
WJRT NEWS
DECEMBER 01, 2009
GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) -- (12/01/09)--There will be no trial for the Flint man accused of murdering his wife and then shooting at police nearly two years ago.
Enrique Torres Jr., 38, pleaded guilty Tuesday to second degree murder, assault with intent to murder and two counts of felony firearm.
Flint police found his wife -- 35-year-old Rebecca Torres -- dead in their LeErda Street home Dec. 27, 2007.
Torres Jr.'s trial was scheduled to start Wednesday. A plea deal was reached Tuesday. Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says it ensures Torres will spend at least 30 years in prison.
With family members listening and crying, Torres Jr. admitted he shot and killed his wife Rebecca Torres -- the mother of his two children -- nearly two years ago just two days after Christmas.
Torres Jr. told Judge Joseph Farah he used a handgun and he wasn't sure how many times he shot her. Torres also admitted he got into a car, drove away and just rode around for awhile.
Police eventually caught up with him. They were armed and so was he. Torres Jr. was shot by police and arrested.
Torres Jr. will be sentenced in January.
Man will spend 30 to 50 years in prison
ABC News
January 08, 2010
http://abclocal.go.com/wjrt/story?section=news/local&id=7208349
GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) -- (01/08/10)--Last month he pleaded guilty, admitting he murdered his wife. Friday, Enrique Torres Jr. learned he will spend the next 30 to 50 years of his life in prison.
At his plea hearing last month, Torres said he and his wife Rebecca Torres got into a fight at their Flint home more than two years ago.
He claims he just snapped and shot her, the mother of his two children.
Torres Jr. sat quiet staring and just listening as his wife Rebecca's family addressed him at his sentencing.
"I just want to tell the court that I'm sorry for everything that's happened," Torres Jr. said. "I want to tell my family I'm sorry everything happened this way."
In December, one day before his trial was scheduled to start, Torres pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and assault with intent to murder for shooting at police when they were trying to arrest him.
He also faces two counts of felony firearm. Torres Jr. said he and his wife got into a fight. He snapped and shot her.
Former Mt. Morris Township firefighter Enrique Torres Jr. sentenced for 2007 murder of wife
Flint Journal
January 08, 2010
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/01/former_mt_morris_township_fire_1.html
FLINT, Michigan — Former Mt. Morris Township firefighter Enrique Torres Jr. will serve 30 to 50 years in prison for the 2007 slaying of his wife.
Torres pleaded guilty to second degree murder on Dec. 1, stemming from the murder of his wife, Rebecca, 35, at their rented home on LeErda Avenue, just north of Pasadena.
He was sentenced on Friday.
Torres worked for the Mt. Morris Township Fire Department before heading into other ventures about a year before the murder.
GENESEE COUNTY (WJRT) -- (01/08/10)--Last month he pleaded guilty, admitting he murdered his wife. Friday, Enrique Torres Jr. learned he will spend the next 30 to 50 years of his life in prison.
At his plea hearing last month, Torres said he and his wife Rebecca Torres got into a fight at their Flint home more than two years ago.
He claims he just snapped and shot her, the mother of his two children.
Torres Jr. sat quiet staring and just listening as his wife Rebecca's family addressed him at his sentencing.
"I just want to tell the court that I'm sorry for everything that's happened," Torres Jr. said. "I want to tell my family I'm sorry everything happened this way."
In December, one day before his trial was scheduled to start, Torres pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and assault with intent to murder for shooting at police when they were trying to arrest him.
He also faces two counts of felony firearm. Torres Jr. said he and his wife got into a fight. He snapped and shot her.
Former Mt. Morris Township firefighter Enrique Torres Jr. sentenced for 2007 murder of wife
Flint Journal
January 08, 2010
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2010/01/former_mt_morris_township_fire_1.html
FLINT, Michigan — Former Mt. Morris Township firefighter Enrique Torres Jr. will serve 30 to 50 years in prison for the 2007 slaying of his wife.
Torres pleaded guilty to second degree murder on Dec. 1, stemming from the murder of his wife, Rebecca, 35, at their rented home on LeErda Avenue, just north of Pasadena.
He was sentenced on Friday.
Torres worked for the Mt. Morris Township Fire Department before heading into other ventures about a year before the murder.
Enrique Torres Jr. - Sentenced
January 08, 2010
ORIGINAL CHARGES:
Murder; two counts of using a gun to commit a felony and assault with intent to murder.
MDOC Number: 752678
Current Status: Prisoner
Assigned Location: Charles Egeler Reception And Guidance Center
Earliest Release Date: 12/27/2039
Maximum Discharge Date: 12/27/2059
Security Level:
Sentence 1
Offense: Asslt w/Int to Commit Murder
MCL#:750.83
Court File#: 08022758-FC-A
County: Genesee
Conviction Type: Plea
Minimum Sentence: 18 years 0 months 0 days
Maximum Sentence: 40 years 0 months
Date of Offense: 12/27/2007
Date of Sentence: 01/08/2010
Sentence 2
Offense: Homicide - Murder, Second Degree
MCL#: 750.317
Court File#: 08022758-FC-A
County: Genesee
Conviction Type: Plea
Minimum Sentence: 30 years 0 months 0 days
Maximum Sentence: 50 years 0 months
Date of Offense: 12/27/2007
Date of Sentence: 01/08/2010
Sentence 3
Offense: Weapons - Felony Firearms
MCL#: 750.227BA
Court File#: 08022758-FC-A
County: Genesee
Conviction Type: Plea
Minimum Sentence: 2 years 0 months 0 days
Maximum Sentence: 2 years 0 months
Date of Offense: 12/27/2007
Date of Sentence: 01/08/2010
Sentence 4
Offense: Weapons - Felony Firearms
Minimum Sentence: 2 years 0 months 0 days
MCL#: 750.227BA
Maximum Sentence: 2 years 0 months
Court File#: 08022758-FC-A
Date of Offense: 12/27/2007
County: Genesee
Date of Sentence: 01/08/2010
Conviction Type: Plea
