Valdez

RENVILLE COUNTY — Two counts of second-degree murder were filed Monday against a 26-year-old Renville man accused of shooting and killing 31-year-old Pablo E. Gutierrez in Renville Aug. 5.

Julian D. Valdez, 103 Main Street N., Renville, appeared in a Renville County District Court remote technology hearing Tuesday. Bail was set at $500,000 without conditions, $300,000 with conditions. A hearing was set for 11 a.m., Aug. 23.

According to the complaint, Valdez and a 25-year-old individual were playing pool in a garage at their residence when Gutierrez drove by the open garage before stopping and walking up to the garage, appearing aggressive, indicating a desire to fight.

In a recorded interview, Valdez said Gutierrez appeared to be under the influence of something when he came to the garage before he got a handgun from a safe.

Valdez went into his house and got his .45 cal. pistol but Gutierrez calmed down, had a drink and talked to the two other men for about 90 minutes.

The conversation turned to the death of Ricky Torres Jr., who suffered multiple gunshot wounds fired by an Olivia policeman July 4th in a dark alley in Olivia. An argument followed that included threats at the residence.

Valdez and the other man said they told Gutierrez to leave but he did not do so.

In a recorded statement following a Miranda Warning, the other man said Gutierrez was very aggressive and threatened to kill him. The man said Gutierrez reached out to grab him but missed and the man hit Gutierrez in the side of the head with a pool cue, breaking it.

Valdez said about an hour later, Gutierrez started to get upset and accused the other man of saying things, which caused Valdez to show the pistol to Gutierrez. Valdez said Gutierrez said he would take the gun from Valdez and shoot him in the head with it.

Valdez said he shot Gutierrez in the side once.

According to the complaint, the bullet hit Gutierrez in the right side, traveling through his chest. Gutierrez fell on the floor and the other man called 911 and rendered aid.

Gutierrez was treated at the scene and transported to the school football field for transport, but died before he was airlifted to a hospital.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.