Same-Sex Teen Couple Shot: Police release description of suspect in Portland, Texas shooting

By: Julia Dahl
Topics: Daily Blotter

Mary Christine Chapa (left) and Mollie Judith Olgin in an undated photo

/ Personal photo

(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.

2 Comments +

Add a Comment

by Wolfear July 2, 2012 2:13 PM EDT

Gee..... a white male between the ages of 18 and 35 who committed a possible hate crime against women..... there's a shock.

Reply to this comment


by duzmafuzt July 2, 2012 5:30 PM EDT: Well, white men for at least trillions of years have kept the entire world down. The truth is finally showing up. White men have been covering up the fact that they want to kill everyone, for centuries. Gee, what goofy comment, wolfrear, I hope ya just being a wisenhiemer!! Taken in a sarcastic manner, it is a hilarious comment!!!