Two Men Fatally Shot in Big Spring, Suspect Arrested on Capital Murder Charge

BIG SPRING, Texas – The Big Spring Police Department has arrested a 22-year-old man on a capital murder charge following a double homicide late Thursday night.

Police said officers were dispatched around 11:05 p.m. May 22 to the 1600 block of Oriole Street after reports of shots fired.

Responding officers from the Big Spring Police Department and the Howard County Sheriff’s Office arrived and found two men lying in the front yard of a residence.

Authorities identified the victims as 44-year-old Willis J. Duval and 23-year-old Marcus D. Pena.

Emergency crews from the Big Spring Fire Department and Allegiance EMS attempted life-saving measures, but both men died from gunshot wounds, according to investigators.

The department’s Criminal Investigations Division, identification personnel, and the Texas Rangers responded to assist with the investigation.

Authorities said detectives and Texas Rangers conducted interviews and followed investigative leads throughout the night.

Justice of the Peace Averette later pronounced both victims deceased.

Investigators said evidence developed during the investigation established probable cause for a capital murder charge against 22-year-old Ruben A. Gonzales.

Detectives and Texas Rangers obtained an arrest warrant, and Gonzales was arrested around 9:30 a.m. Friday in the 1600 block of Canary Street.

He was booked into the Howard County Detention Center on a charge of capital murder.

Officials said the investigation remains ongoing and no additional information has been released.