Jealousy Behind Murder of 16-year-old Boy

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Two people are under arrest for the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Merced.<br /><br />Benito Aguirre was found shot to death on the campus of Tenaya Middle School near 7th and N Street on February 15th.<br /><br />A 17-year-old is behind bars along with his 20-year-old alleged accomplice.<br /><br />The motive behind the senseless killing – jealousy over a girl.<br /><br />His family says 16-year-old Benito Aguirre was always happy.<br /><br />&quot;He was an extremely outgoing, energetic little boy,&quot; said Benito’s aunt, Lupe Herland.<br /><br />Herland says the family is grateful police have made two arrests in Benito’s murder.<br /><br />&quot;We can’t bring him back, but the only thing we can ask is for justice, and the justice to be served and the stiffest penalty that they deserve,&quot; Herland said.<br /><br />Police arrested a 17-year-old boy and his 20-year-old friend, Franco Ortiz.<br />Investigators say Ortiz drove the 17-year-old gunman to Tenaya Middle School on Sunday, February 15th just before seven in the evening.<br />Benito was shot several times and died at the scene.<br />The 17-year-old was apparently upset at what he believed was a romantic relationship between a girl and benito.<br /><br />&quot;He became jealous and decided that he would seek revenge against our victim,&quot; said Capt. Tom Trindad with the Merced Police Department.<br /><br />Police say the 17-year-old suspect has a connection to gangs. <br />He is not being named because he is a minor.<br /><br />Benito’s family praised the Merced police detectives who worked on this case.<br /><br />&quot;With these arrests the family can rest a lot better knowing that these two individuals were taken off the street and they’re not going to hurt anybody else,&quot; Herland said.<br /><br />The family says Benito’s father was murdered four months ago. There is no connection between the two deaths.<br /><br />Police are still investigating Benito’s murder. And they say more arrests may be made in the case.<br /></div>