Police still searching for killing suspect

A Hispanic teenager was the victim in Tuesday’s fatal shooting at Autumn Hill Apartments on Commonwealth Drive, according to Albemarle police.

Emilio Morales, who lived at the apartment where the shooting happened, died of at least one gunshot wound. There has been some discrepancy about Morales’ age, but police believe he was 17, according to Lt. Todd Hopwood.

Two other males were injured in the shooting. They were treated at the University of Virginia Medical Center and have been released.

Police said the shooting happened at about 11:20 p.m. after a man showed up at the apartment and a fight ensued. After the shooting, the man ran away.

“All indications at this point are that this was a random act and a clear motive has not been established,” Hopwood said.

Police are still searching for a man they believe was the shooter. He is described as a 6-foot-tall white male in his 20s with blond, shoulder-length hair. He may also have a prominent mole on his face, police said. He was last seen wearing a “hoodie”-style shirt.

Hoping to get more information, police have put up fliers in the area of the shooting.

Also, investigators found a gold ring with a red stone at the scene, and are distributing photos of it.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 977-4000, Detective Elisa Espinoza at 296-5865 or 906-5104, or Detective C. Marshall at 296-5819.

Morales’ shooting death was the second homicide in the county this year.