The names of the two victims in Friday’s homicide and apparent suicide incident were released late Friday by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which is continuing the investigation begun by local law enforcement.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office requested the KBI investigate at approximately 10 a.m. Friday, who responded with agents and the Crime Scene Response Team.
According to KBI spokesperson Natalie Turner, the Great Bend Police Department was dispatched at approximately 9:12 a.m. to a business in the 1500 block of Seventh Street. Upon their arrival, officers were told by witnesses that Mario Martinez-Garcia, 32, entered the workplace of Esmeralda Torres-Lopez, 32, and forced her outside, where he shot her.
Torres-Lopez was transported to the University of Kansas Health System – Great Bend campus, where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Meanwhile, Martinez-Garcia fled the scene in a white 2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
Officers spotted the vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed and began pursuit, which led to speeds in excess of 90 mph as the suspect vehicle traveled south down U.S. 281 toward St. John in Stafford County.
Stop sticks were deployed which deflated the vehicle’s driver’s side tires. The chase continued through the U.S. 281 and U.S. 50 junction, where it then proceeded westward on U.S. 50.
As the chase approached mile marker 91, a BCSO deputy conducted a tactical vehicle intervention, causing the vehicle to leave the road and crash through a barbed-wire fence, coming to rest in a field.
Officers approaching with caution discovered the body of Martinez-Garcia, who had a single gunshot wound to his head and a gun in his hand. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were incurred in the incident.
Autopsies of Torres-Lopez and Martinez-Garcia who the KBI reported were “significant others in a relationship,” were scheduled as standard procedure.
Once the KBI’s investigation is complete, they will present their findings to the Stafford County Attorney for review.
