Suspects Still Sought in Fatal Shooting of 2

Police on Monday were still searching for as many as two suspects in connection with the fatal shooting of two men after a dispute erupted among guests at a birthday party over the weekend.

Police Lt. Robert Helton said the suspects had been at the party in the 2400 block of West Mark Street most of Saturday night, but it was unclear whether they were invited guests.

“They weren’t outsiders,” Helton said. “(But) there’s a question over who invited them.”

About 80 people were at the birthday party when an argument broke out about 12:55 a.m. Sunday, Helton said.

Police identified the victims as Ernesto Ortiz, 37, and Alfonso Palacios, 28, whose addresses were unknown.

Witnesses told police that the shooting began outside the house when a man standing in the middle of the street fatally shot another guest standing in the front yard and then fired several rounds at a Pontiac Trans Am. One of the bullets fired at the car struck a passenger, killing him.

A woman holding an 18-month-old baby had a a bullet graze her forehead. She was treated by paramedics and released.

Helton said police were looking for one or two men who escaped in a dark-colored sedan.

He said investigators had no motive in the slayings, adding that party-goers interviewed in the wake of the shootings were uncooperative.