Month: September 2026

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A record number of students enrolled in the University of Texas at El Paso this fall, according to the school. For the first time, UTEP’s enrollment passed 27,000.

UTEP said this fall’s enrollment set an all-time record for the second year in a row. It said 27,368 new students enrolled, which is an increase of more than 4% from last year’s fall semester.

The university’s previous record stood at 26,297, UTEP said.

“Surpassing 27,000 students is a remarkable milestone, but what matters most is that record numbers of students are not just enrolling at UTEP, they are staying and finishing,” said UTEP President Heather Wilson in a statement. “That is a credit to our faculty and staff, who take seriously the job of meeting each student where they are, and making UTEP an excellent and affordable path to a better life.”

In August, Wilson said UTEP expected to set a record during UTEP’s state of the university address.

UTEP’s milestones didn’t stop with this fall semester’s enrollment. For the fifth year in a row, UTEP enrolled its largest freshman class. It said 4,695 first-time college students started their studies this fall.

When it announced its record enrollment, UTEP noted its efforts to build its student body and support. One example included UTEP’s Paydirt Promise, which covers 100% of tuition and fees for some Texas residents.

The university also credited its online education program, which offers more than 40 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs and graduate certificates.

UPDATE (Sept. 21, 2026): An inmate in Hudspeth County helped police identify one of three suspects from a deadly shooting at Tom Lea Upper Park, according to police documents.

The shooting happened around 3:39 a.m. on Sept. 12 at the park. Documents said police went to the park and found the two men dead on the road with gunshot wounds. Each death was ruled a homicide.

Documents said an autopsy determined Joshua Michael Himes and Francisco Javier Ignacio, both 20, died from gunshot wounds.

While investigating, detectives learned a large group of people met at the park to drink alcohol. Documents said a fight happened between the victims and unknown subjects.

Witnesses told detectives they saw the suspected shooters drive away in a white pickup truck, documents said. Witnesses said two men fired their guns toward the victims and nearby crowd before driving away.

Detectives obtained surveillance video showing the truck driving from the park to the I-10. Documents said the truck went to an apartment West El Paso. Video showed a woman and three men leave the truck and go into an apartment.

On Sept. 16, a deputy from the Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office contacted the El Paso Police Department about the double murder.

An inmate in Hudspeth County said one of the alleged shooters, 17-year-old Manuel Canedo, told him he and his “homie” did the shooting, documents said.

Canedo allegedly told the inmate he had been “jumped,” so he started shooting. Documents said Canedo said his “homie” also started shooting and “knocked two of them down.”

Investigators wrote that Canedo and the inmate had been incarcerated together several weeks earlier.

Canedo also allegedly told the inmate his truck was in Fort Worth. The inmate told police Canedo was arrested for trafficking and used the truck at the time of his arrest, documents said. Investigators said the suspect truck matched the description the inmate gave EPPD.

Investigators used license plate reader records and learned the truck was in the Forth Worth area, documents said.

EPPD authorities then interviewed the woman seen in the surveillance video involving the shooting. Investigators didn’t provide her name due to concerns for her safety.

The woman alleged Canedo and two other alleged shooters, 19-year-old Jose Emmanuel Saldana and 20-year-old Jesus Ivan Lopez, picked her up before driving to the park. When she got in, the woman said she saw two guns on the center console, according to documents.

Documents said one of the shooting victims made a disrespectful comment about the woman. One of the victims allegedly said, “She is bad.”

Lopez allegedly confronted the victims and told them to “do something” while the woman walked toward the truck. The victims reportedly followed them to the truck, documents said.

The woman said one of the victims punched Canedo and saw Castillo and Canedo fire their guns at the victims. Documents said Lopez drove the alleged shooters and woman away from the park.

Manuel Canedo (left), Jose Saldana (middle) and Jesus Lopez (right).(Courtesy: EPPD)

On Sept. 17, police apprehended Lopez. Lopez allegedly identified Castillo and Canedo as the two shooters. He also allegedly admitted to driving the truck away from the park.

EPPD said Canedo and Saldana are from Fort Hancock. Lopez is from El Paso. Police charged all three with capital murder.

UPDATE (Sept. 18, 2026): El Paso police said it charged three people with capital murder after a deadly shooting that killed two men at Tom Lea Upper Park.

EPPD said it charged 17-year-old Manuel Canedo, 19-year-old Jose Emmanuel Saldana and 20-year-old Jesus Ivan Lopez. Canedo and Saldana are from Fort Hancock, Texas, while Lopez is from El Paso.

Manuel Canedo (left), Jose Saldana (middle) and Jesus Lopez (right).(Courtesy: EPPD)

Investigators said a group of people drank at the park when a fight broke out between the victims and the three suspects. The three allegedly shot the victims and drove away.

Joshua Michael Himes and Francisco Javier Ignacio, both 20, died, police said.

EPPD said its Gang Unit, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers helped arrest the three suspects.

EPPD said anyone with information about the murders can contact police at 915-832-4400 or Crime Stoppers at 915-566-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE (Sept. 14, 2026): The El Paso Police Department identified two 20-year-old men who died in Saturday’s shooting at Tom Lea Upper Park. Police said the shooting happened after an altercation.

Joshua Michael Himes and Francisco Javier Ignacio died, police said.

Investigators said that a group of people drank at the park when an altercation broke out between the two men and unidentified people. The unidentified people allegedly shot the men and left in a vehicle.

EPPD said anyone with information about the murders can contact police at 915-832-4400 or Crime Stoppers at 915-566-TIPS (8477).

UPDATE: According to the El Paso Police Department (EPPD), two people are dead after a shooting that happened just before 4 a.m. at the 900 block of E. Rim at Tom Lea Upper Park.

When officers arrived at the park, police say they found two people dead.

According to a spokesperson with EPPD, a group of people were at the park when an unidentified vehicle showed up and at least two individuals started shooting. The vehicle then left the area, according to the spokesperson.

Police continue to investigate the shooting and ask anyone with information to call police or, to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers of El Paso.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating a shooting at 900 E. Rim in Central El Paso.

The shooting happened near El Paso High School, according to police.

They say the call came in just before 4 a.m.

This is a developing story.