Two Clovis teenagers ending a relationship led to the shooting death Monday of one of the boys by a third juvenile, according to Clovis Police Department investigators.
The victim, Timothy Newbrough, 18, was found dead on the couch of his home in the 300 block of Alamo Street on Clovis’ west side early Monday morning.
Early Tuesday morning, police received a call from a 17-year-old boy claiming a 14-year-old boy confessed to the slaying.
The 14-year-old was brought in for questioning and detained. He requested an attorney and did not speak to police records, show.
The 17-year-old and his grandmother told police they had talked to the 14-year-old by phone. The 17-year-old and his grandmother said in these calls the 14-year-old said he killed Newbrough to protect them.
According to court documents, the 14-year-old alleged Newbrough was upset over his breakup with the 17-year-old and wanted to kill the 17-year-old and his family.
The 14-year-old was arrested on a charge of the delinquent act of murder in the first degree.
Newbrough was first found by a friend who had just gotten off work and dropped by to check on Newbrough.
The friend arrived at Newbrough’s residence to find his car not there, the front door to his residence open and a leg visible through the door, records show.
Going inside, the friend found Newbrough laying “stiff on the couch” with blood coming out his ear.
The friend called police saying she believed Newbrough had shot himself, though, according to court records, she did not see a firearm anywhere in Newbrough’s home.
Newbrough’s vehicle, a 2011 black VW sedan with a Delaware license plate, has yet to be located, according to the most recent report from CPD.
When CPD officers arrived they found “at least two shell casings in the living room and no weapon was visible to them,” records show.
In addition to Newbrough’s fatal wound, officers also saw a hole in the wall consistent with being a bullet hole.
In addition to CPD officers on the scene, the Ninth Judicial District Attorneys Major Crimes Unit was activated.
CPD Capt. Robbie Telles reported the 14-year-old has been transported to a juvenile facility where he will be held until an arraignment hearing is conducted.