Kurtz is facing charges of first-degree murder and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
Kurtz is accused in the shooting death of Marcos Bencomo, who was shot and killed on Jan. 21 on White Avenue near 32 3/8 Road.
The shooting forced nearby Rocky Mountain Elementary into shelter-in-place status and students were not allowed to walk home.
The Mesa County Coronerâs Office identified the victim as Bencomo, a 36-year-old Grand Junction resident. The cause of death is a gunshot wound to the head, and toxicology is still pending.
Kurtz is described as a 56-year-old man, 5 foot, 10 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds with black hair, brown eyes and visible tattoos.
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After being called to a report of a dead body Thursday afternoon, Mesa County Sheriffâs Office announced that it is investigating the death as a homicide.
The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday outside of a residence on White Ave near 32 3/8 Road.
When deputies arrived, an adult male was found with a gunshot wound. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, and he died at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing a black Jeep Liberty leave the scene. Deputies located the vehicle matching the description abandoned in the parking lot for the Clifton Nature Park on D Road.
Investigators are still looking to speak with two persons of interest related to this shooting â Frank W. Kurtz and Charity E. Perschbacher.
Clifton Homicide Leaves One Dead, Police Look For Suspects
Mesa County authorities are investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday afternoon in Clifton.
According to the Mesa County Sheriff s Office, deputies were called out to a residence on White Avenue, near 32 3/8 Road where they found an adult male with a gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were unsuccessful and the man died at the scene. His identity has not yet been released.
Rocky Mountain Elementary School was put on shelter-in-place while deputies investigated the incident.
A black Jeep Liberty was reportedly spotted leave the scene, and deputies found the vehicle matching the description abandoned in the parking lot of the Clifton Nature Park on D Road. Deputies searched the area but believed whoever left the car was no longer in the vicinity.
Mesa County Sheriff s Office searching for two persons of interest in homicide
Mesa County Sheriff s Office
and last updated 2021-01-22 00:10:31-05
MESA COUNTY, Colo. â The Mesa County Sheriff s Office is looking to speak to two persons of interest in a homicide.
Deputies responded to a residence on White Avenue near 32 3/8 Road around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, where they found a man with a gunshot wound. Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful, and the man died at the scene.
Investigators have not released the identity of the man who was killed or how he died.
Witnesses reported seeing a black Jeep Liberty leave the scene. Deputies located the SUV abandoned in a parking lot for the Clifton Nature Park on D Road. The person(s) who left the car were believed to no longer be in the area.