Family and lawyer suing federal government seek accountability and justice for their dog

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Daw family, former owners of Chop, the dog allegedly shot and killed by a U.S. Border Patrol agent in El Paso last September, is seeking justice and accountability from the federal government.

As ABC-7 reported yesterday, a federal lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. government alleging that a Border Patrol agent shot and killed a dog inside a home in El Paso last year.

The law firm Singleton Schreiber, LLP filed the suit on behalf of Seth Daw; the complaint includes claims of assault, personal injury, conversion, trespass, and negligence.

Today, ABC-7 spoke with Marisa Ong of Singleton Schreiber, LLP, representing the Daw family, and with the owner’s father to learn more details about the lawsuit and the next steps in the legal process.

The Daw family created a petition asking the El Paso District Attorney’s Office to also investigate the case; you can read it here.

Watch the full report on our evening newscasts.

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Family of Marine murdered at El Paso Walgreens look to honor his legacy

Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — It was been nearly two weeks since El Paso native and U.S. Marine, Christopher Steven, was shot and killed at a Walgreens in West El Paso.

Anna Kuba married Steven in July 2023. The two met while he was deployed in Okinawa, Japan — Kuba’s hometown.

Since his death, Kuba has been asking the community to financially help her and her family.

According to her GoFundMe, Kuba’s family “faces significant out-of-pocket costs for travel, hotel stays, car rentals and funeral arrangements.”

Now, a proper memorial for Steven is on the horizon.

The family announced his viewing will take place July 15 at 5 p.m. at the Funerari del Angel funeral home in Central El Paso. His full service will be the following day at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church at 8 a.m. on Alabama Street.

The family also confirmed his burial will be Thursday following a service at Fort Bliss Cemetery at 9:30 a.m.

ABC-7 spoke with Kuba and her family about Steven’s impact on them them and what they hope his services will accomplish.

You can find the family’s GoFundMe here.

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Las Cruces firefighters extinguish fire on N Mesquite Street

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces firefighters put out a fire on N Mesquite Street Monday night.

Crews went to the 700 block of N Mesquite Street, near the intersection with E Lucero Avenue, and saw heavy fire and smoke coming from a detached garage, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department.

Crews controlled the fire within 17 minutes and prevented it from spreading, according to the fire department.

Pictures of the fire on N Mesquite Street(Courtesy: LCFD)

The crews used handline nozzles to control the fire. Han

Nobody was found in the surrounding area and LCFD said nobody was injured.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

(Courtesy: LCFD)

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Train, semi-trailer crash in Tornillo

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A train and a semi-trailer crashed in Tornillo Tuesday morning, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

EPCSO said it happened at 9:03 a.m. at O T Smith Road and Alameda Avenue.

No injuries were reported, the sheriff’s office said.

ABC-7 is sending a crew to the scene to learn more.

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Montana Avenue westbound closed following a water main break in Far East El Paso

Joseph Montero

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A early Tuesday morning water main break has closed all lanes heading west on Montana Avenue in Far East El Paso near Red Sands Elementary School.

According to the El Paso County Sheriff Office, Montana westbound is closed at O’Shea Road. Officials are telling the community to avoid the area.

No clearing time has been given at this time.

This is a developing story.

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A post shared by Montana Vista Fire Rescue (@montanavistafire)

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Community advocates for couple killed in hit-and-run

Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A Clint breakfast restaurant has been raising money for the couple killed in Sunday’s crash on Loop 375 near Yarbrough.

El Paso police charged 21-year-old DavidMcCall for allegedly crashing into Alfredo and Miriam De La Torre while they rode on a motorcycle.

Their daughter frequently went to Coffee Waffle in Clint. The restaurant started a “waffle fundraiser” throughout the week of July 19 to provide proceeds to the De La Torre family.

Manager Erica Gallardo said the decision came after she found out one of the restaurant’s regulars lost her parents.

“It really hit close to home when I found out that it was her family, you know,” Gallardo said. “It really is crazy and puts it into perspective how crazy things could just happen. It’s heartbreaking. And to know that that a family lost their their mom, their father and, you know, their families as well.”

One person who knows the feeling of a loss like this is Lupita Hernandez, who lost her son in a crash.

“Sll these courts, the system is a failure, a slap on the wrist where they let these impaired drivers out with $1,000 bond, and they’re out the next day,” Hernandez said.

She has been fighting for change, including for police to have more checkpoints and harsher punishments.

“You didn’t just destroy your life. You also destroy the family,” she said. “And you brought pain and grief into their life because now we don’t get to be with our loved ones.” You still get to go home. You still get to go where you need to go.”

If you wish to donate to the De La Torre’s family, you can visit their GoFundMe page here.

Monday night, local motorcyclists gathered in East El Paso for a ride-along honoring the De La Torre couple.

Robert Alvarez, who attended the ride-along said the deaths of the two is a tragedy, but also a harsh ereality.

“Lives were lost. This is something very serious very serious problem been going on here in El Paso. And we’re trying to bring awareness,” Alvarez said.

The ride-along started at a Circle K in East El Paso. Bikers made their way to the crash site on Loop 375 near Yarbrough.

“I don’t even know that family, I don’t. But what I do know, is that they were living life on two wheels, and this is something that they loved,” Rene Alman said, a Combat veteran Motorcycle Association Member.

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Federal lawsuit alleges Border Patrol agent shot, killed dog in El Paso home

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A federal lawsuit against the U.S. government alleged a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a dog inside an El Paso home last year. Singleton Schreiber, LLP filed the lawsuit on behalf of Seth Daw and said the complaint raises claims for assault, battery, conversion and trespass to property and negligence.

In September 2025, Daw alleged the agent shot his dog while agents searched his home for undocumented migrants.

A month later, Daw filed a formal administrative claim with Customs and Border Protection seeking monetary damages and resolution before litigation, according to the law firm. In May 2026, Border Patrol denied the claim in its entirety, the firm said.

According to the lawsuit, Daw’s dog, Chop, was secured in the restroom before the search. The lawsuit said Daw told agents they should let him know if they wanted to search the restroom and he would move Chop.

Daw’s consent to search the residence did not extend to the restroom, documents said.

Agents asked Daw for his ID, which was in his truck outside. While Daw went to get it, Muñoz went inside alone, documents said.

Daw then heard a gunshot from inside the home.

The lawsuit alleged Agent Jorge Muñoz opened the bathroom door and shot Chop. Documents also alleged agents grabbed Daw, causing bruising, and that Muñoz pointed his loaded gun at Daw.

Daw seeks compensatory damages, costs and other relief permitted under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) and Texas law for the loss of his personal property, damage and physical injuries.

Chop died 45 minutes later, according to the lawsuit.

According to the complaint, when Daw’s father arrived on scene and confronted agents, at least one acknowledged they had made “a big mistake.”

The lawsuit alleged Muñoz’ conduct was unjustified. The agents also didn’t find any migrants in the home.

ABC-7 will speak with Daw’s lawyer, Marisa Ong and Daw’s father, Paul Tuesday.

ABC-7 also reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, CBP and Border Patrol and haven’t heard back yet.

In November 2025, U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar sent a letter to CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott and Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks in reference to the alleged shooting.

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Man charged with negligent deadly weapon use at Whiskey Dicks Las Cruces

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A man has been charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon after allegedly unsafely handing a gun at Whiskey Dicks in Las Cruces July 4.

According to documents, 20-year-old Ericko Alejandro Rodriguez was at Whiskey Dicks driving a truck and got into an altercation at the bar.

An officer said he saw open alcohol containers in his truck, documents said.

Security footage showed Rodriguez’ truck allegedly circling the area, documents said. Witnesses also alleged he had a gun.

Security at the bar heard a man say “get my gun” and run to the truck where Rodriguez allegedly stood and loaded a gun, documents said.

Security fought him for the gun outside of his truck and confiscated it, documents said.

Officers also noted Rodriguez’ breath smelled like an alcoholic beverage, and he admitted to drinking, documents said.

Rodriguez faces a charge for unsafe handling of a deadly weapon and two warrants, according to documents.

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Las Cruces man charged for alleged aggravated assault with box cutter

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 56-year-old man faces an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge after allegedly chasing someone with a box cutter in Las Cruces, according to documents ABC-7 obtained Monday.

It happened July 4. Documents said the victim told police he had allegedly been assaulted by Scott Heiple in a Downtown Las Cruces alley near Rad Retrocade on N Main Street.

The victim said he was in the area trying to use a public restroom and noticed Heiple “acting belligerent,” according to documents.

The victim said he had previous issues with Heiple. He alleged Heiple constantly threatened him, documents said.

Documents said the victim tried to walk away from the area to avoid conflict, and Heiple allegedly followed and yelled at him.

At one point, the victim alleged he saw Heiple run at him with a box cutter with the blade out, documents said. Heiple allegedly yelled he was going to kill the victim.

The victim tried to leave the area and yelled for nearby security to help him, documents said.

Police later found Heiple near Rad Retrocade with a box cutter in his pocket, documents said. They arrested him.

(Courtesy: DACDC)

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Woman charged for allegedly kicking Las Cruces EMS workers, police officer

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 20-year-old woman faces two felony charges of battery after allegedly kicking two emergency healthcare workers and a police officer in Las Cruces, according to court documents.

According to documents, Las Cruces Police responded to a crash July 4. Viviana Ramos, a passenger in the vehicle, was put into an ambulance for medical treatment.

An officer said she suddenly saw the ambulance doors swing open and saw Ramos allegedly kick a Las Cruces Fire Department emergency medical technician. Documents alleged Ramos kicked another medical technician in the face and upper body while they tried to restrain her.

An officer said she removed Ramos from the ambulance and tried to handcuff her, documents said. Ramos allegedly grabbed the officer’s chest under her vest.

A second officer tried to help secure Ramos, which led them on the pavement, documents said.

While on the pavement, an officer alleged Ramos grabber her right arm and felt her nails dig into her skin through her shirt, documents said.

Documents said Ramos started kicking the officer while she tried to calm and secure her.

A sergeant helped an officer secure Ramos, documents said.

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