On June 15, 2020, 23-year-old Kevin Portillo was tragically shot and killed in Odessa, Texas. The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the 1400 block of Wilshire. Portillo, who was from Midland, Texas, was found dead from multiple gunshot wounds. The Odessa Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the incident.
The investigation led to the arrest of Jonathan Roy Dawkins, a 32-year-old man from Odessa. Dawkins was identified as the suspect and was arrested by the U.S.
Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in San Angelo just hours after the shooting. According to authorities, Dawkins shot Portillo during a disturbance that arose over a shared love interest. Dawkins had been Portillo's former girlfriend's new boyfriend.
In August 2023, Dawkins pled guilty to the murder of Kevin Portillo and was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Ector County District Court Judge Denn Whalen. Prior to this incident, Dawkins had a history of misdemeanor charges, including possession of marijuana, evading arrest, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of personal disputes escalating into violence. The community and Portillo's family were left to grapple with the loss of a young man whose life was cut short by such a senseless act of violence.
