Police Identify Third Victim

Police have identified Jerry Centino, 46, of Burley, as the third person who died early Friday morning during an apparent double homicide and suicide inside a Burley home.

Cassia County Sheriff Billy Crystal said Centino was shot and killed along with Cheryl Choate, 36, of Burley. Richard Choate, 37, of Burley died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Crystal said.

Richard Choate appeared to be the aggressor in the shootings, Crystal said. Police suspect jealousy as the apparent motive, although the investigation is not complete.

Cassia County Coroner Paul Young said Centino was “a friend of the (Choate) family.” Crystal said he thought the Choates were divorced at the time of the murders.

Four teenagers who witnessed the crime were interviewed by police officials Friday and will continue to be questioned. Young said some of the witnesses were related to the victims.

Crystal said the four teenagers were inside the home when the shootings occurred. One witness received a minor shrapnel wound when a shotgun was discharged, he said.

The weapons used in the crime were a 12-gauge shotgun and a .22-caliber semiautomatic pistol, authorities said. Crystal said officials are uncertain about which weapon was used to kill whom, or who was in possession of which weapons.

A press release issued Friday by the Cassia County’s Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a 911 call. Upon arrival, deputies were told two people had been shot inside the residence and that another person was still inside.

When deputies gained entry into the home, they discovered three people had been shot.