San Rafael man identified in fatal Canal shooting

Authorities released the identity of a man who apparently killed himself with a gunshot to the head Monday after a confrontation with his ex-girlfriend and another man in San Rafael.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Manuel Avila Primero, 35, of San Rafael. Coroner’s investigator Kenneth Advincula said Tuesday a forensic examination and toxicology tests are scheduled for Wednesday. Toxicology results will not be available for several weeks.

The case appears to be a suicide but the investigation is continuing, San Rafael police said.

According to the preliminary investigation, a woman who lives in the 200 block of Canal Street went to a nightclub with a male friend on Sunday evening. Her ex-boyfriend, Primero, approached at the club and asked her to dance, and she declined.

Primero left the club, but he showed up at her apartment early Monday morning, and the other man from the nightclub was there with her. An argument ensued, and the ex-boyfriend fired a gun at the other man’s head, police said, citing the witness statements.

The man ducked and the shot missed. Primero then turned the gun on himself and fired.

An occupant of the apartment called authorities. A member of the San Rafael Fire Department pronounced Primero dead.

Police said the woman’s roommates were in their bedrooms at the time and heard a commotion but did not witness the shooting.