UPDATE – Claudio Estrada, Jr. turned himself in to police in Texas and was not in the state of Michigan when the murder took place. He is no longer a suspect.
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HOLLAND, Mich. — A 23-year-old Holland man is now being sought and the 14-year-old victim has been identified in a Saturday morning shooting death at the Hampton Inn in Holland.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department says a shooting took place at the Hampton Inn on Felch St in Holland at 12:04 a.m. Saturday morning.
Deputies arrived at the scene and found a 14-year-old male with a gunshot wound. He was taken to Holland Hospital and was pronounced dead.
They believe there were two groups hanging out Friday night when a fight broke out leading to the death of the teenager.
The shooting is believed to be gang related, but deputies are still investigating to what extent, and say that the scene is still active.
At noon Saturday, the sheriff’s office identified the victim as Troy “T.J.” Wells Jr., age 14, and said he died from multiple gunshot wounds.
They also said that a felony warrant has been issued for Claudio Estrada Jr., 23, of Holland, on charges of open murder and felony firearms.
Estrada is still being sought. Police said he is considered armed and dangerous.
Estrada is described as 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.
If you know anything, call the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT or at http://www.mosotips.com on the Web.