An illegal alien arrested Saturday for allegedly killing four people in Nevada this month is expected to face murder charges.
Authorities arrested and placed an immigration hold on Wilbur Ernesto Martinez-Guzman, 19, in Carson City on Saturday after receiving a tip about the suspected killings in South Reno and Gardnerville in northern Nevada between January 10 and 15.
“At this stage in the investigation, we feel confident we have the evidence that will link him to all four homicides,” Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam told reporters at a Sunday press conference.
“There was a great deal of concern and fear in the community so we just felt it was important for the public to know that we had a person in custody,” Washoe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Bob Harmon told Fox News on Monday.
Officials say Martinez-Guzman resided in Carson City for about a year and had no prior arrests in the city. Authorities say the killings all took place over the span of a week.
Authorities discovered the first victim, Connie Koontz, 56, on January 10 in Gardnerville. Three days later, authorities found Sophia Renken, 74, dead several miles away from Koontz’s body.
On January 15, authorities found both Gerald David, 81, and his wife, Sharon David, 80, dead from gunshot wounds in their home.
“Our communities were shaken by these brutal murders,” Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks told reporters at a press conference Sunday.
Martinez-Guzman is currently in custody at the Carson City Detention Center.