Author: KVIA

Armando Ramirez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The City of El Paso is inviting the community to participate in a series of remembrance activities marking seven years since the August 3, 2019 tragedy.

According to the city, these observances honor those we lost while providing opportunities for remembrance, reflection, and healing.

“August 3 left an indelible impact on El Paso, but it also revealed the compassion and resilience of our community,” said Mayor Renard U. Johnson. “As we honor the 23 lives we lost, I encourage El Pasoans to continue showing love for one another through simple acts of kindness. Whether it’s by donating blood at the City’s August 4 blood drive, volunteering with a local nonprofit, helping a neighbor, or reaching out to someone in need, every act of compassion helps strengthen our community. Caring for one another is what makes El Paso special.”

The list below are remembrance activities to honor the 23 victims from the shooting:

Unite with Light

August 2–8 @ 8:30 p.m.

Community members are encouraged to illuminate their porches or windows with orange lights each evening as a visible expression of remembrance and solidarity.

Community Remembrance Ceremony

Monday, August 3 @ 9 a.m.

Jim Crouch Park, 7500 W. H. Burges Dr.

The Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) will host a community remembrance ceremony honoring the victims and reaffirming El Paso’s commitment to unity and inclusion. They will be joined by elected officials, faith leaders, and community advocates.

Remembrance of August 3 Tribute

August 3–10

City Hall, Council Chamber Lobby, 300 N. Campbell St.

A tribute installation featuring photographs of the 23 victims will be displayed outside City Council Chambers, providing residents and visitors an opportunity to reflect and pay their respects.

Star on the Mountain

Monday, August 3 @ 8:30 p.m.

The Star on the Mountain will flash 23 times in memory of the 23 victims.

Community Blood Drive

Tuesday, August 4 @ 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

City Hall Breezeway, 300 N. Campbell St.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — To commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Aug. 3 shooting, United Way of El Paso County shared a recorded reading of the 23 victims’ names and those who responded to the tragedy.

Watch the video above.

Local leaders reading the names is party of the Day of Remembrance Reading of the Names. The ceremony took place Sunday at Ascarate Park.

“As we mark seven years since August 3, we continue to honor the victims, support their families, andstand with our community in recognizing the strength, compassion, and resilience that have carriedEl Paso forward,” says Georgina Hernández, President and CEO of United Way of El Paso County.

United Way of El Paso County also shared the video at 10:38 a.m., which was when the first 911 call was made.

We will always remember: Jordan Anchondo, Andre Pablo Anchondo, Arturo Benavidez, Leonardo Campos Jr., Maribel Campos, David Alvah Johnson, Maria Eugencia Legarreta Roth, Ivan Filiberto Manzano, Gloria Irma Márquez, Sara Ester Regalado Moriel, Adolfo Cerros Hernandez, Javier Amir Rodriguez, Elsa Mendoza de la Mora, Angelina Silva Englisbee, Juan de Dios Veláquez Chairez, Jorge Calvillo Garcia, Maria Flores, Raul Flores, Margie Reckard, Alexander Gerhard Hoffman, Teresa Sanchez, Luis Alfonzo Juarez, and Guillermo “Memo” Garcia.

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Gabrielle Lopez

Editor’s Note: This article had a news clip linked to it. It has been removed due to a graphic falsely stating Deshawndre Washington faced five counts of criminal sexual penetration.

UPDATE (12:50 p.m.): Deshawndre Washington is playing at a basketball tournament in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, ABC-7 learned.

Washington is currently playing overseas at the Decathlon Lebanese Basketball Championship 2025-2026, according to MTV Lebanon Sports.

He signed with Sagesse Sports Club, which is based in Lebanon. According to a post the team, Washington signed with Sagesse in May.

ABC-7 reached out to Washington’s attorney about his absence in court.

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Monday, former New Mexico State University basketball player Deshawndre Washington failed to appear in court. He faces charges for his alleged role in a 2022-23 hazing case.

Washington was scheduled to stand trial in Las Cruces Monday. Judge Conrad Perea issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The trial will resume when he’s in custody. This is the sixth time his trial has been delayed.

In 2023, the New Mexico Attorney General’s office charged two other former NMSU men’s basketball players with multiple felony sex crimes, according to court documents. Those players were Kim Aiken Jr. and Doctor Bradley.

Aiken Jr. was charged with 11 felonies while Bradley and Washington were charged with 13.

Bradley and Washington pleaded not guilty in November 2023.

Washington would later face two additional charges, totaling 15.

In February 2023, former men’s basketball head coach Greg Heiar was fired from NMSU, ABC-7 previously reported.

In November 2023, former NMSU basketball players filed a lawsuit against the university, Washington, Heiar, Aiken Jr., Bradley and other university officials. The lawsuit alleged sexual assault, concerning gun culture and negligence.

The lawsuit named Washington as one of the former players who had a gun. The lawsuit goes on to say that “his gun and the rumors about his prior gun use increased his power over his fellow students and the threat he posed.”

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- TxDOT would like to hear your thoughts.

The Border Highway East study looks at a possible 20-mile extension from Loop 375 (Americas Avenue) to FM 3380 (M.F. Aguilera Road) near Tornillo.

The study is exploring ways to improve traffic flow and safety in the area. Goals include reducing congestion, making it easier to get around, and making the roads safer. Right now, there are no specific projects planned or funding set aside for construction.

You can learn more and share your input at an in-person public meeting on Tuesday, August 4th, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Clint High School.

At the public meeting, you can look at printed study materials, see exhibit boards, talk with staff, and share your comments. The meeting will be in an open-house format, so you can come and go as you like. Spanish-speaking team members will be there to help. There will not be a formal presentation.

The virtual public meeting will include the same information. It will be available online starting Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. MDT. To join, visit www.txdot.gov at that time and search for “border highway east study.”

You can also share your comments by phone or mail. Please send your comments by August 18th.

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Armando Ramirez

UPDATE (Aug. 3, 2026): A 30-year-old man allegedly told called 911 and said, “I killed my mom,” according to arrest documents ABC-7 obtained. Juan Valles Valenzuela faces a murder charge.

Juan Valles Valenzuela’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

Saturday at 1:45 p.m., El Paso police went to 306 Cargill St. for a 911 “unknown problem” call, documents said. Officers learned Valenzuela allegedly said his mother, Eva, was lying lifeless on the floor.

Documents alleged Valenzuela asked 911 to pick him up. Documents said police later took him into custody.

Inside the home, officers found his mother lying on the kitchen floor with no signs of life and multiple puncture wounds to her body, documents said. A knife with suspected blood was found next to her boy.

The El Paso Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons unit went to the home to help with the investigation.

Investigators interviewed Valenzuela’s friend. According to documents, the friend also reported the incident to 911.

He told investigators Valenzuela allegedly told him, “Guess who I killed,” documents said.

His friend replied, “Please tell me you did not kill your mom,” according to documents.

Valenzuela’s friend told investigators he guessed he killed his mom because Valenzuela allegedly mentioned how he hated her and wanted her dead, documents said.

Documents said Valenzuela told his friend he killed his mom, and didn’t feel anything.

Valenzuela told authorities he woke up to his mom coming home with groceries Saturday, documents said. He helped her carry them in the kitchen and dropped sodas in the sink.

Valenzuela alleged his mom kept yelling and they both became mad, documents said.

He allegedly told investigators he got “triggered,” grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed his mom in the neck multiple times, causing her death, documents said.

Valenzuela allegedly called his friends and said it would be the last time he would talk to them, documents said.

He also told investigators he had hatred for his mother, documents said.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso police are investigating the death of a 60-year-old woman who was found inside a Lower Valley home Saturday afternoon.

Officers responded to the 300 block of Cargill Street, near Ascarate Lake, at about 2 p.m. after receiving a call for service.

When officers arrived, they found the woman dead inside the home, according to the El Paso Police Department.

The scene in Lower Valley El Paso where the city’s police department investigated a woman’s death.(Courtesy: KVIA)

Police said a man in his 30s was also inside the residence and was detained because of what investigators described as suspicious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death.

Authorities said no charges have been filed against the man.

The El Paso Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons unit is leading the investigation. Additional information has not been released.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Friday, the El Paso Police Department said one of its officers is injured and one person is in the hospital after a crash on the I-10 at Mile Marker 34.

EPPD posted a video on Instagram showing an officer conducting a traffic stop. While the officer stood on the highway’s shoulder to check a driver’s ID, a second vehicle failed to control its speed, narrowly missed the officer and crashed into the stopped vehicle.

The crash pushed the stopped vehicle 500 feet down the shoulder, EPPD said.

The driver of the stopped vehicle went to the hospital, and his injuries aren’t life threatening, according to the post.

Police said the at-fault driver, who wasn’t named, was cited for failing to control their speed and causing a crash.

“This incident is a stark reminder that traffic stops are among the most dangerous parts of an officer’s job. In a matter of seconds, a routine stop nearly turned tragic,” EPPD said in the post.

During the traffic stop, emergency lights flashed. Police reminded the public to move over or slow down when emergency lights flash on the road, as Texas law requires.

See the full video below.

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Gabrielle Lopez

DONA ANA COUNTY, N.M. (KVIA) — The Doña Ana County Board of County Commissioners appointed appointed three people to serve as a joint acting county manager as the county’s leadership transitions.

The decision comes after commissioners unanimously voted to end Scott Andrews’ employment contract June 21.

Friday, the county announced Deb Weir, Lucio Luttrell and Stephen Lopez will serve together.

As acting county managers, the three will provide leadership and support for county departments and employees while the board decides what’s next for permanent leadership.

“We are honored by the Board’s confidence in us and are committed to working together as a team to provide steady leadership, support our employees and ensure the County continues to operate effectively and efficiently,” the acting county managers said in a joint statement.

County Commissioner Manuel Sanchez said Scott Andrews approached the board about leaving his position as county manager, but his contract didn’t include a provision for an early departure. Terminating the contract without case was the only legal way to end the agreement.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A Texas state agency is pushing back on what it calls illegal entry and unauthorized clearing of more than a mile of state land near the Rio Grande. Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham sent a cease and desist letter Friday to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and a contractor working on border wall construction.

In a release, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) said Buckingham sent the letter after finding that federal contractor Barnard Construction illegally entered and cleared more than a mile of state land.

The letter claimed the contractor CBP hired trespassed across and altered GLO-managed state lands in Presidio County without permission. The land at issue also partly falls under Hudspeth County.

The Texas GLO said its leases don’t allow land modifications, excavations or construction without the office’s written consent.

“Significant grazing acreage was disrupted by this unauthorized activity that has devalued our lease and diminished our ability to generate future revenue for the schoolchildren of Texas,” said Commissioner Buckingham in a news release.

The letter included a map with areas that match an online property sale listing for the Moody Bennett Ranch, which extends across Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties.

Online Presidio County property records show that Trans Pecos Ice LLC owns parcels in that same area, which match the GLO’s map included in Buckingham’s letter.

The map included in Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham’s cease and desist letter.(Courtesy: Texas General Land Office)

The Texas GLO said Trans Pecos Ice LLC has been told they’re in breach of their lease agreement for allowing unauthorized access. The office told it to take immediate action.

Additionally, the GLO demanded any and all state land damaged by the reported activity be restored to its original condition.

Barnard was asked to work with the CBP and lessee to develop a reclamation proposal plan for the GLO to approve.

“The people of Texas entrusted the General Land Office with more than 13 million acres of state land, and we take that responsibility seriously,” Commissioner Buckingham said. “We will work with our federal partners to keep the southern border secured, but we will not compromise the integrity of Texas state property to do it. State land is damaged and it must be restored.” 

Texas State Senator Cesar Blanco shared his support for Buckingham’s letter Friday.

“I applaud Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham’s decision to order an immediate halt to land-clearing activities related to border wall construction and require a more transparent process. This is an essential step toward protecting Texas’ sovereignty and ensuring proper oversight,” the senator said in a statement.

Read the full cease and desist letter below.

lettersDownload

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a 53-year-old woman on two outstanding assault warrants for an alleged physical altercation that happened at a Starbucks on Airway Boulevard.

EPCSO said Naomi Hernandez was wanted by the El Paso Police Department for the warrants stemming from the altercation that happened July 20.

At 12:15 a.m. Thursday, deputies went near the intersection of Eastlake Boulevard and State Street near the Eastlake Marketplace Center after learning about her location.

Deputies contacted her, confirmed her warrants and took her into custody.

Hernandez transported to the El Paso County Detention Facility, where she was booked on two warrants for assault causing bodily injury. Her bond totaled $10,000.

The reported incident at the Starbucks was posted on FitFam El Paso’s Instagram page. Deputies released a video posted by FitFam and bodycam footage of Hernandez’ arrest.

You can watch the videos below.

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Gabrielle Lopez

(KVIA) — New Mexico State Parks extended the maximum stays from seven to 14 days as droughts across the state continue to impact recreation areas. Friday, the NMSP said it will also waive some fees.

At Elephant Butte Lake, NMSP said from Aug. 1-Sept. 30, designated primitive and beach camping areas will be available at no cost.

The benefit will also apply to Caballo Lake State Park.

Primitive campsites are basic, undeveloped areas without designated sites or built-in amenities like connections to water or electricity.

NMSP said the changes come after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s seasonal release of water from Elephant Butte, which is expected to stabilize water levels for the rest of the summer.

“Drought is changing the way New Mexicans and other visitors experience their state parks, but it doesn’t change our commitment to keeping these places accessible and welcoming,” said Toby Velásquez, director of the New Mexico State Parks division.

While reservoir levels are impacting boating and water access at Elephant Butte and Caballo Lake, visitors can still go boating, camping, fishing, birdwatching and other activities where conditions allow.

After the no-fee period ends, day use access to all New Mexico State Parks is free for New Mexico Residents.

NMSP said that benefit starts Oct. 1, but won’t apply to the Rio Grande Nature Center and Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Parks though April 30. The camping stay limit remains 14 days through April 30.

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