Walnut Creek Police: Ex-boyfriend fatally shot 19-year-old woman, then self

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (KTVU) – People in a quiet Walnut Creek neighborhood are expressing surprise and sadness after a murder-suicide that happened Tuesday shortly before 7 a.m.

 The Contra Costa County coroner's office has identified the 19-year-old murder victim as Clare Orton of Walnut Creek, and the man who killed her as 21-year-old Scott Bertics of Lafayette.

Police say the two had previously been in a relationship but couldn't say how long ago - only that it was not recent.

Police tell KTVU a 911 call came in Tuesday morning from Orton’s parents.

A source tells KTVU Bertics walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Orton answered and Bertics shot her. Then, he shot himself on the front lawn.

"I was just in shock, just in shock, just really sad," said neighbor Melissa Murphy.

Police say that there was no previous indication of trouble between the two. There was no restraining order and there was no previous contact with police.  

"This was a complete surprise. No indications whatsoever," said Lt. Edwards

Other neighbors tell KTVU Orton was a cross country runner when she attended Los Lomas High School in Walnut Creek.

She had been attending San Diego State where she was named to the Dean's List, and she was majoring in environmental engineering.

On YouTube in a video dated three years ago, Bertics can be heard talking about a project - a wireless remote controlled MP3 player.

KTVU has learned that Bertics graduated from Acalanes High School in Lafayette in 2012 where he was on the track team.
He attended Stanford University and studied engineering.

"This one caught everyone off guard. We're talking about two good supportive families. All indications are that they're good kids," said Lt. Lanny Edwards with Walnut Creek Police.

Police say they're confident this is a murder-suicide and describe it as "a tragedy 100 percent."

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact Walnut Creek police at (925) 943-5844.

Photo: Clare Orton, Facebook