Double Murder Suspect Arraigned

A man accused of committing two murders in two counties in one night will be in Kalamazoo County Thursday to face charges.

Authorities say that on the night of July 20, 32-year-old Zachary Patten of Portage got into an argument at the Americana Estate’s Mobile Home Park in Kalamazoo. During the argument, Patten allegedly pulled out a gun and fatally shot 31-year-old Gabriela Portillo-Esparza.

After this shooting, Patten is accused of driving to a rural home near Constantine in St. Joseph County, and fatally shooting Shane Richardson, who was the new husband of Patten’s ex-wife. Last week, Patten was charged with open murder, home invasion and weapons charges in Richardson’s death.

WWMT reports that on Thursday, he’s set to appear in Kalamazoo County Court to be arraigned on charges of open murder, carrying a concealed weapon and felony firearm in the death of Portillo-Esparza.