DA: No Evidence Suspect Had Relationship With Doctors Murdered In South Boston
BOSTON (AP/CBS) ? The investigation into the killings of two doctors in their luxury penthouse condominium took a surprise turn Monday when prosecutors corrected earlier accounts by authorities who said police shot a suspect after he opened fire on them inside the couple?s apartment.
Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley held a news conference to correct details of the investigation. In addition to saying the suspect did not fire at police, Conley also clarified earlier statements by Boston Police Commissioner William Evans, who said he believed the doctors knew their assailant.
Bampumim Teixeira was charged with two counts of murder Monday in the killings of Dr. Richard Field and Dr. Lina Bolanos, two anesthesiologists who planned to marry.
Investigators are looking into what Teixeira knew about their building and neighborhood. He was only recently released from jail for bank robberies. Court documents from those crimes show he worked security for the condos next door to where the doctors lived.
Teixeira received three gunshot wounds after police confronted him in the condo Friday night. Police initially said officers opened fire on Teixeira after he shot at them while they were responding to a report of a gunman in the apartment
During Teixeira?s hospital arraignment Monday afternoon, prosecutor John Pappas described that same scenario. But late Monday, Conley said Teixeira did not shoot at police.
Conley said police were sent to the building after Field, in his final moments of life, texted a friend to report ?a gunman in the house.?
He said police entered the apartment and were confronted by Teixeira. He said police ? in the darkened apartment ? believed Teixeira either pointed or fired a gun at them. Authorities now believe that one officer responded by firing his weapon, then other officers also fired their guns.
Conley said police found a BB gun or a ?replica gun? inside a backpack in the apartment.
?We are simply informing the public to correct the record,? Conley said.
Conley also said there is ?no evidence whatsoever? at this point to conclude Teixeira had a personal relationship with Field or Bolanos.
Conley said authorities do not know why Teixeira ?would attack them so viciously? in their home.
Pappas said police found a backpack near the front door that was filled with jewelry they believe belonged to Bolanos.