PORTAGE, Mich. –- New details have emerged in the investigation into the shooting of a 25-year-old Portage woman, Rachel Drafta.
The Portage Department of Public Safety was notified earlier Saturday that Drafta has died from the injuries sustained in the shooting.
Police are now continuing the investigation as a homicide and a motive has started to form.
The Portage Department of Public Safety believe that the crime was premeditated.
The investigation has lead police to believe that the suspect, 43 year old Theresa Petto, was angry because Drafta had been dating Petto’s former boyfriend.
On June 24 around 7:20 a.m., the Portage Department of Public Safety arrived on scene at the 2900 block of French Bay to a call that a female was shot.
Drafta was found lying in the driveway where officers immediately performed CPR until emergency medical responders arrived. She was transported to a local hospital.
It was determined that Drafta had been shot one time behind her right ear.
Witnesses observed that Drafta and Petto were involved in a dispute in Drafta’s driveway.
Petto was seen walking northbound on Old Mission where she was located and detained in the 5700 block of Old Mission.
A handgun, registered to Petto, was discovered under a travel trailer near her location.
Petto was arrested and placed in the county jail.
On June 25, the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office arraigned Petto on charges of assault with intent to murder and felony firearm with a bond of one million dollars.
The Portage Department of Public Safety was notified earlier today that Drafta had died from the injuries sustained in the shooting.
On Monday, June 29, Portage Public Safety detectives are looking to request charges for murder with the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor’s Office.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Portage Department of Public Safety at 269-329-4567 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.
