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Background: The Parkersburg, W.Va., neighborhood where Claudia Torres allegedly shot Austin Lamb on Feb. 27 (Google Maps). Inset: Claudia Torres (Parkersburg Police Department).
Claudia Torres, 19, was taken into custody shortly after midnight on February 28, in connection with the death of 28-year-old Austin Lamb. The Parkersburg Police Department announced on Facebook that Torres was apprehended about a mile from the site where Lamb’s body was discovered with gunshot wounds. Local NBC affiliate WTAP reported that Torres herself dialed 911, stating, “This guy who I thought was my friend tried to grope me… he tried to grope me… so I shot him three times.”
Authorities noted that Torres reiterated these allegations to officers during her transport to the police station.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found Lamb on a couch, suffering from several gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save his life, medical personnel declared him dead at the location.
According to court documents, officers arrived at the home to find Lamb slumped on a couch with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts, medics pronounced him dead at the scene.
Court documents state two witnesses who went to a bar with Torres and Lamb on the night of Feb. 27 said the two got into an argument on their way home. When the group got back home, Lamb went inside and Torres went to her truck.
Torres then stormed into the home and allegedly fired a gun at Lamb several times. She then left the house, and police said another witness saw her fire the gun one more time before fleeing the scene in her purple Dodge Ram. Police said surveillance video supported what witnesses reported seeing. Witnesses outside the home also told police they heard Torres say, “That’s what you get for messing with me.”
Police found Torres at a nearby gas station and detained her without incident.
Torres made her first court appearance on March 4 and was ordered to remain in custody without bond. She was charged with first-degree murder. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 10.