Patricia Ramirez Gutierrez, 45, was pronounced dead at the SMMC emergency room by Howard County Justice of the Peace Quail Dobbs shortly after 1 a.m.

“Officers responded to 1207 Sycamore in reference to a shooting at approximately 1:40 a.m.,” said Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer with the Big Spring police Department. “Upon arrival, officer discovered the female victim had been shot in the back. She was transported to the emergency room, where she died.

“The victim was shot once in the back with what is believed to have been a 12-gauge shotgun. The investigation into the shooting revealed the victim had allegedly been shot by her husband, who fled the scene prior to officers arrival.”

Everett said the suspect, 48-year-old Tommy Gutierrez Jr., later turned himself in at the Troy M. Hogue Law Enforcement Center.

“While detectives were looking for Gutierrez, he came to the police department and turned himself in just after 7 a.m. and was taken into custody and charged with murder,” said Everett. “We expect to interview him this morning and book him into the Howard County Jail.”

Everett declined to comment further, citing the investigation into the homicide is ongoing.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it