Second suspect in shooting death of Modesto teen arrested

MODESTO -- A second suspect in the shooting death of a Modesto teenager was arrested on Thursday morning, authorities said.

Demaris Hunter, 33, of Modesto was taken into custody after detectives obtained more information on Wednesday into the shooting death of Marty Kent, 17, who was killed earlier this month outside his house in the 900 block of Leon Avenue.

On Wednesday morning, detectives made a first arrest in the case when they took Richard Lionheart Teputepu, 19, into custody after serving a search warrant of a south Modesto home.

Teputepu is being held without bail in Stanislaus County Jail on a murder charge.

Bejaran said Hunter, who had been previously interviewed about the case, also was arrested on a murder charge.

Bejaran said he didn't believe there were any more suspects. However, as detectives conduct more interviews, that could change, he said.

Detectives would not specify the roles Teputepu and Hunter are suspected of having in the shooting or any other circumstances surrounding the case.

On Jan. 2, deputies responded to a call in the early evening of shots fired at the home in west John Thurman Field. When they arrived, they found the 17-year-old lying near the doorway. Bejaran said there had been a fight in front of the single-story home just before the shooting.

Anyone with information about this investigation can call Detectivve Jon McQueary at 209-525-7099. You can also leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636. Tipsters can also e-mail tips at http://www.modestopolice.com/CrimeStoppers, or text them to CRIMES (274637) by typing "Tip704" plus the message and be eligible for a cash reward.