Police: Father kills 2 over daughter's girlfriend

AUSTIN, TX Jose Alfonso Aviles, 45, has been charged with capital murder. Police say Aviles shot to death Norma Hurtado, 24, and her mother, 57-year-old Maria Hurtado, on Monday night after knocking on their door.

Aviles was arrested early Tuesday morning in a wooded area in nearby Bexar County. He was expected to be transferred to the Travis County jail Wednesday, Austin police Sgt. Hector Reveles told The Associated Press. Reveles said he had no information on an attorney.

The Austin American-Statesman reported that police and court documents said Aviles' daughter was in the home at the time and found the two after the shooting, which police say came after a months-long feud between the families.

The daughter's "family was quite upset over this relationship," Austin police Lt. Gena Curtis told the newspaper. "This had been an ongoing dispute between these families and it turned tragic, into a horrific act of violence with the death of two individuals."

The daughter told police that she and Norma Hurtado had been involved in a lesbian relationship and that her father didn't approve.

The affidavit said a witness told police that the daughter's parents would send threatening text messages to Norma Hurtado. In one message, Aviles threatened to kill Hurtado and her mother, the document said.

Friends of the daughter said she had turned 18 last month. Reveles would not reveal the daughter's age, citing the investigation.

The Travis County district attorney's office has not determined whether the case will be classified as a hate crime.

"It is something we will have to take a look at after the investigation is more complete," said Jackie Wood, an assistant district attorney and a member of the office's hate crime task force.

Police also said they are looking for a second unidentified man who witnesses said fled the scene with Aviles in a green sport utility vehicle.

Copyright © 2024 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.