KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Formal charges have now been leveled at Zachary Patten in Kalamazoo County for the shooting death of 31-year-old Graciela Portillo-Esparza.
The 34-year-old Portage man who is suspected in two back to back murders two weeks ago has been ordered held without bond as prosecutors in Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties work with the local courts and each other to make sure the families of both victims get some measure of justice.
Portillo-Esparza was reportedly stepping in to a fight between Patten and her older brother, who was involved with Patten’s ex-girlfriend, when detectives believe she caught a bullet that was not intended for her.
He has already been formally charged in St. Joseph County with the shooting death of Shane Richardson, who had married Patten’s ex-wife.
