Valentin charged with murdering couple sharing first date

(NECN: John Moroney, New Bedford, Mass.) – Blood, candles and a flower marked the spot at the Westlawn Housing Complex where a man and woman were shot and killed Friday after returning from what neighbors described as a first date. Elvin Valentin, a resident of the New Bedford, Massachusetts housing complex, has been charged in the shootings. Authorities said he murdered 43-year-old Luis Diaz of Boston and Nettie Becht, a 36-year-old mother of three who lived a couple of doors down from the 60-year-old Valentin. Neighbors said the suspect was obsessed with Becht and shot her and Diaz as they returned to the Smith Street apartments around 10:30 at night. “She used to come by sometimes and sometime you used to see them drive away together in his van,” one neighbor said. “People say it’s because of jealousy. But I don’t know — can’t say if that’s true or not.” At least two neighbors said the male victim’s parents visited scene Saturday, telling them that their son and Becht were on a first date after recently meeting online. Becht’s children, a teenager and two younger siblings, were not at home at the time of the shootings, which still have everyone on edge. The suspect was taken into custody outside the housing complex without incident. He has been charged with two counts of murder and is expected to be arraigned in New Bedford District Court on Monday. NECN’s John Moroney reports.