EPPD Arrests Five in Connection with Downtown Murder

Updated: 5:30 a.m. Thursday 9/11

Four men and an 18-year-old woman have been arrested in connection to the burned body that was found by El Paso Electric workers in an abandoned Downtown building last Friday.

34-year old Jesus Barraza, 22-year old Jerry Lynn McGavitt, and 19-year old Thomas McNair have been charged with murder. Marcus Adkins, 28, and Brittney Stewart were charged with failure to report a felony offense.

Police say all of the accused are homeless. Several people who work Downtown have commented on social media that they recognized some of the accused, saying they would often see them hanging outside of the library panhandling and doing drugs. Sources told KFOX14 Adkins and Stewart are boyfriend and girlfriend, and that McGavitt used to to date Stewart.

El Paso police say the victim, who has been identified as male but whose positive identity is pending, was beaten, gagged, bound and burned. Initial reports also allege the body was partially dismembered, but that has never been confirmed by EPPD. An arrow and the words “Death A Waits” was found painted on a wall pointing to where the body was found.

No word on what led detectives to these five people or how they were able to solve the case so quickly. It is also not known which of the five misspelled 'awaits'.