Couple arrested for double murder in Grant Hill where 3 kids were found nearby
San Diego police announced on Tuesday that they had arrested a couple in the killing of a man and woman found shot to death in Grant Hill early Monday, with three children found nearby.
The bodies of Ruben Chavez, 31, and Evelyn Virgen, 28, who were both from San Diego, were identified by law enforcement on Tuesday.
According to investigators, the killings stemmed from an “ongoing dispute” that they had with Virgen’s ex, Ramses “Rex” Morales, 21, and his current girlfriend, Princess Perez, 25. Detectives were able to determine that Morales and Perez were in the area when the shooting occurred “but fled prior to police arrival.”
San Diego police said they received an anonymous report at about 12:30 a.m. that two people were lying on the street near 27th Street and Imperial Avenue. The caller said at least one person “appeared bloody,” according to police.
Morales and Perez went to Mexico after the killings but were detained by Border Patrol agents at the San Ysidro Port of Entry when they tried to cross the border back into the U.S., according to investigators. While they were being processed at the crossing, they were interviewed by SDPD homicide detectives and were eventually each charged with two counts of murder, officials said.
SDPD said on Tuesday that Virgen was the mother of the three young children, all under the age of 2, who were found in the van nearby.
The killings
When officers arrived early on Monday Chavez and Virgen , were found dead. The nature of their injuries was not clear but detectives said shell casings were found at the scene.
The three children were unharmed during the incident and taken into protective custody after officers arrived.
Neighbors told NBC 7 on Monday that they heard the gunshots.
“Two gunshots,” one male said. “I was just in my room, and I didn’t think anything of it until I see there’s a bunch of cops outside. It was crazy.”
“Been here for 16 years and nothing but good stuff,” said another. “Tragic stuff happened.”
Anyone with information was asked to call SDPD’s homicide team at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.
