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Man found dead in West Utica is same man who allegedly shot girlfriend

By ANDREW DONOVAN

Story Created: Feb 7, 2013 at 12:35 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 7, 2013 at 2:37 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica Police confirm to NEWSChannel 2 that the man found dead Wednesday night in West Utica is Jerry McNair, the same man who was suspected of shooting his ex-girlfriend in a separate incident on Tuesday.

The female found dead with McNair has been identified as 36-year old Petra Gonzales, an on and off girlfriend of the past seven years.

McNair and Gonzales were found dead inside a home on McVean Street in West Utica following a tip that McNair was inside.

Police allege that McNair shot Gonzales before turning the gun on himself.

In a separate incident the day before, McNair allegedly shot his current girlfriend at the Parkedge Townhouses in North Utica before going into hiding at the McVean Street residence.

Police say domestic violence is the cause of the shooting. The 22-year-old victim in that incident is not being identified. Police say that she was trying to end the relationship with McNair and that "if he couldn't have her, nobody else could."

Utica Police say she was shot in the back of the head on Monday but regained consciousness the next day and was able to make it to the hospital.

Her condition is not being released by hospital officials.

Police say McNair was in a "downward spiral" as he was about to be sentenced on drug charges and a sex abuse case against was about to go to trial. He also threatened suicide in the past, according to authorities.

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