Patricia Ramirez Gutierrez, 45, was pronounced dead at the SMMC emergency room by Howard County Justice of the Peace Quail Dobbs early Monday, the apparent victim of a gunshot wound to the back, according to Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer with the BSPD.

Officers responded to a home at 1207 Sycamore — the residence of record for the victim and the suspect in the shooting — at approximately 1:40 a.m., according to police records, where the victim was discovered.

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

Several hours later, 48-year-old Tommy Gutierrez Jr. turned himself in to police officers at the Troy M. Hogue Law Enforcement Center, where he was taken into custody and charged with murder.

Officials with the Howard County Jail confirmed Gutierrez — who is originally from Lorraine — has been transferred to their facility, where his bond was set at $950,000.

According to police records, Gutierrez has been charged with murder, a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years to life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

As of press time, Gutierrez had not bonded out and was still in the custody of the county jail.

Everett said the investigation into the murder is ongoing and declined to comment on the details related to the events leading up to the shooting.

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