Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso Community College professor is one of just 12 researchers from around the world selected for a research team at Harvard University. Monday, EPCC said Manuela Alejandra Gomez will work as an advisor and research associate of the Moses Mesoamerican Archive and Research Project (MMARP).

MMARP preserves more than 40 years of research produced by archaeologists, historians, anthropologists and scholars, EPCC said. Research includes excavations at Templo Mayor and Teotihuacan.

At EPCC, Gomez is a professor of philoshophy.

According to MMARP leadership, Gomez’ work in Mexican American philosophy, borderland education and public humanities caught its eye.

“My work as a U.S.-Mexico border philosopher and educator aligns closely with MMARP’s mission to promote dialogue and collaboration across the humanities,” Gomez said in a statement. “I learned English at EPCC when I was a little girl. This is how far education can get us.”

She has more than 20 years of teaching experience in the U.S. and Mexico, EPCC said. Her work touches on philosophy, education, journalism, public service, and the cultural traditions of the U.S.-Mexico borderlands.

EPCC said Gomez’ forthcoming book, “Intersecting Worlds in Mexican American Philosophy: Teaching and Learning from the Border,” explores identities at the border. She also developed “Desenterrando Conocimientos” (Unearthing Knowledge), which recognizes community-based epistemology and intellectual labor as central to Mexican American philosophy.

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Gabrielle Lopez

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — Chihuahua State Police seized a rocket launcher and 1,000 fentanyl pills from a couple in Juárez. Police the seizure happened Sunday afternoon in the Parajes del Sol neighborhood during a homicide investigation.

Officers used drones an the Sentinel Platform suveillance system and found a Toyota Corolla allegedly linked to the crime. They tracked it until it stopped next to a Ford Escape SUV.

While inspecting both vehicles, officers found weapons including the rocket launcher, assault-style rifles, 50 rounds of ammunition, magazines and a handgun, SSPE said.

They arrested Jonathan G. R. and Maritza P. G. They went to the Public Prosecutor’s Office along with the seized items for further investigation, SSPE said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Las Cruces police arrested and charged a 37-year-old man suspected of a stabbing during a disagreement Saturday.

After noon Saturday, the Las Cruces Police and Fire Department went to Apodaca Park off E Madrid Avenue. They reportedly found a 28-year-old man with what appeared to be at least one stab wound, police said.

Crews airlifted him in critical condition to an El Paso hospital, where he remains hospital as of Monday, police said.

Police said they found Pascual Jose Diaz near the alleged stabbing scene and took him into custody.

Investigators said the two men may have had an argument that escalated.

Diaz faces felony charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence.

He booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bond.

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Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Buddy, a therapy dog at the El Paso District Attorney’s Office, has been providing comfort to victims testifying in court.

Interestingly, Buddy himself was rescued and rehabilitated after suffering abuse before becoming a therapy dog. His own success story is an inspiration to those he helps.

“I hope that buddy’s, you know, story is something that it can be helpful to prevent more any animal this, and just to let the victims of crime who come to our office that if they want to meet buddy, just let us know,” said Lorena Garcia, Buddy’s handler.

Buddy sits outside the El Paso County Courthouse(Courtesy: El Paso County)

Buddy’s story is one you have to watch Thursday only on ABC-7 at 6 p.m.

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Armando Ramirez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Local health officials from Texas Tech Physicians, among others, held an event Saturday with free health screenings for students in the Borderland as they prepare for the new school year.

The health screenings included BMI, height and weight screenings, as well as healthy lifestyle counseling. Sport physicals were also available for a low cost for those for those who needed it.

Organizers said that the first 300 children were given backpacks and were also treated to super hero appearances during the event.

Students from the Foster School of Medicine and pediatric residents volunteered to help perform the screenings.

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Armando Ramirez

SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KVIA) — Court documents obtained by ABC-7 reveal that 47-year-old Marco Antonio Gomez and 23-year-old Angel Gomez, are facing several charges after an incident where four juveniles committed a “prank”.

According to the court documents, officers from the Sunland Park Police Department were called out to a residence sometime July 01, 2026 regarding vandalism.

After a police investigation, officers learned that four juveniles went to Marco’s home wearing masks to dingdong ditch the residence, along with a vandalized image of Marco and cupcakes. This comes after the group learned that Marco is a registered sex offender, court documents say.

The juveniles left the items at the door and proceeded to dingdong ditch, that’s when court documents say the Gomez family was alerted and opened the door seeing the kids running away. Marco told police that he went back into the residence to put shoes on, that’s when court documents say he called for his son, Angel Gomez to get in the car.

The two proceeded to get in Marco’s vehicle and chase after one of the minors who said he “feared for his life” alleging Marco was driving really fast behind him.

Court documents say that Marco drove past the juvenile, cutting of his path, got off the vehicle and grabbed the juvenile by his shirt and Marco then allegedly hit the juvenile multiple times on his chest, asking “Quieres Problemas”.

Marco then ordered the juvenile to get in the back seat of his vehicle but then told him to sit down on the ground. During this court documents say Marco got distracted, the juvenile took this as an opportunity to run away, where he would call his dad from a YMCA.

While Marco confronted the first juvenile, court documents say Angel allegedly had tackled a second juvenile to the ground, told the minor to roll over on his stomach, then took away the juveniles phone. Court documents also say that Angel had placed a knee on the back of the minor to keep him there.

Moments later one of the fathers of the juveniles had arrived on the scene with pepper spray telling Angel that he would use it against him but did not move until officers arrived, court documents say.

Marco and Angel had told police they had faced harassment in the past due to Marco being a registered sex offender.

After their investigation, officers with the Sunland Park Police Department would arrest both Marco and Angel.

Marco Gomez is facing Abuse of a Child (Does not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm), Aggravated Assault (Deadly Weapon), False Imprisonment.

Angel Gomez is facing Battery, and False Imprisonment.

The Sunland Park Police Depar

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Lauren Bly

UPDATE (July 16, 2026) — Several witnesses told police David McCall allegedly ran away after crashing into a couple on a motorcycle — including the couple’s son, according to arrest documents. One witness said he chased McCall from the Loop 375 highway to a nearby neighborhood.

Documents said the De La Torre couple’s son, Damian, rode his motorcycle behind his parents on Loop 375 West. He said he saw McCall drive at a high rate of speed and change lanes. Damian alleged McCall lost control of his car and crashed into his parent’s motorcycle.

The impact threw the couple from the motorcycle onto the pavement of the Yarbrough entrance ramp onto the highway, documents said. Police said the couple died at the scene.

Two witnesses driving on the highway’s eastbound said they pulled over and jumped the barrier to call 911 and report McCall reportedly leaving the crash site, documents said.

One witness alleged McCall tried to leave by driving away, but instead got out the car and left by foot, documents said.

Another witness said he chased McCall through an open field and down a canal. Documents said the witness lost sight of McCall when he jumped over a wall into a house’s backyard.

Patrol officers searched the area where McCall was last scene, found him and arrested him in the front yard of a home in a neighborhood off Yarbrough Drive.

During questioning, McCall said he didn’t remember how the crash happened and that he drove his girlfriend’s car, documents said.

He said he panicked after the crash, ran toward the neighborhood and called his brother, documents said.

According to documents, McCall admitted to drinking two Michelob Ultra beers at his cousin’s house before the crash.

Police asked him if he called 911 to report the crash and whether he checked on the others involved in the crash. Documents said McCall answered no to both.

Jail records said McCall remains behind bars without bond.

He’s being held under Texas Senate Bill 9, which is a bail reform law requiring a judge to review certain serious felony cases before bail can be set.

Court records also said McCall was convicted last year of evading arrest with a vehicle and sentenced to four years in prison.

The same records said the case stemmed from a 2023 high-speed pursuit that investigators said was connected to a human smuggling investigation.

UPDATE (July 13, 2026) — El Paso Police said it arrested a 21-year-old man in connection to a deadly crash that killed a couple.

David McCall faces two charges of collision involving death, according to a news release.

EPPD said McCall allegedly lost control while driving and hit Alfredo and Miriam De La Torre while they rode a motorcycle. The couple were thrown from the motorcycle and died at the scene, police said.

McCall allegedly left the crash site by foot. Police later arrested and booked him into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

(Courtesy: EPPD)

El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson sent ABC-7 the following statement sending his condolences to De La Torre couple and their families:

“Our hearts are with the families and loved ones of the victims. These tragic crashes are a painful reminder that every life lost on our roadways is one too many.

The City of El Paso is committed to making our streets safer. Earlier this year, City Council strengthened our State Legislative Agenda to support stronger impaired driving prevention, enforcement, accountability, and public awareness. We will continue working with Sober Streets, law enforcement, our legislative delegation, and community partners to advocate for measures that help prevent crashes and save lives.

We will continue working with our partners to improve safety and advocate for stronger laws, but we also ask every driver to do their part. Make safe choices, look out for one another, and help us keep El Paso’s roads safe.”

UPDATE (7:58 p.m.) — El Paso Police said that two people have died, and that their Special Traffic Investigator’s Unit is responding.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA)– According to TxDOT, all lanes are closed on Loop 375 at Yarbrough going west.

El Paso fire says that a call came in at around 6 p.m. of a motorcycle and vehicle accident. They have not said if anyone is injured.

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Nina Gallegos

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – GECU Federal Credit Union plans to do a complete system upgrade from July 31-Aug. 4. Some services with online and mobile banking will be completely unavailable until the upgrade is complete, according to GECU.

Unavailable services includes GECU’s Bill Pay, scheduled transfers, account and card alert registration, external loan payments, eStatements, mobile check deposit, and Card Management.

GECU members can still apply for a loan and new accounts through the credit union’s website.

GECU said it will advance direct deposits on Friday, July 31 for direct deposits dated Aug. 1-3, as long as they are received by July 31. Other direct deposits will be deposited as soon as the upgrade is complete.

Members must make any necessary loan payments or transfers before July 31 at 5 p.m.

Transactions processed with money-transfer apps that are directly linked to your GECU accounts will be unavailable starting at 5 p.m. MST on Friday, July 31.

GECU said the upgraded technology will streamline back-end operations and processes to serve members better.

The upcoming system upgrade means GECU members will lose access to several key financial services during the transition. A 24/7 card services line will remain open, but staff will not be able to assist with account or loan specific questions.

GECU member Yolanda Miranda says she was not aware of the planned system upgrade. As someone who pays rent at the beginning of each month, Miranda expressed concern over the timing of the upgrade.

“I do pay on the beginning of the of each month. And it’s good to know that because I didn’t know that,” Miranda said regarding the unexpected timing of the upgrade.

Online and mobile banking will be unavailable during the upgrade. Direct deposits, loan payments and transfers and money transfers through third-party apps all need to be completed before July 31. All ATM and cash deposits should also be made before the July 31 deadline.

Jacque Valdez, GECU Senior Vice President of Operations, confirmed the limited availability of assistance during the upgrade.

Valdez stated that while card services would be operational, “Specific to issues around their accounts or mortgages, we would not be available.”

When asked what would happen if a member does not set up their payments in advance, Valdez did not provide a direct response. Valdez suggested members utilize available resources.

“Well, they would be able to reference us. But you know, if they use that checklist and plan a little bit ahead, we can ensure that they can help themselves through that particular situation,” Valdez said.

Miranda noted the potential inconvenience for those unaware of the changes.

“So if you’re not prepared, it’s going to be inconvenient. So we’re going to have headaches, right?” Miranda said.

GECU advises members to prepare for the system upgrade before July 31 to avoid disruptions.

GECU recommends steps members can take to prepare for the upgrade:

Before July 30:

Verify your contact information

Mark your calendar

Keep an eye on your mail and email

Screenshot Zelle activity

If needed, turn on your cards

Add cards to your mobile wallet

Make mobile-check deposits

Update bill pay

If needed, open a new debit card

Before July 31:

Check your balance

Make necessary transactions

Make wire transfers

Make ATM check and cash deposits

Add nicknames to your account

After Aug. 4:

Double-check payments

Re-enroll in Zelle

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 12-hour rescue in the Organ Mountains left three firefighters injured, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department. The call for help came in around 10 a.m. Sunday.

LCFD said its technical rescue team helped an injured hiker at Aguirre Springs trail. The hiker reportedly climbed 1,000 feet off the trail into a gully, and their injury stopped them from descending.

Search and rescue parties helped the hiker and gave medical care, LCFD said. Because of the terrain, the rescue took 12 hours and 20 minutes.

LCFD said three firefighters were injured from the rescue.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — One firefighter went to a hospital after the Las Cruces Fire Department extinguished a fire in Las Cruces Saturday afternoon. It happened on the 1200 block of Montana Avenue near Las Cruces High School.

When crews arrived, they found the fire burning in a storage yard that was near a building, LCFD said on Facebook.

(Courtesy: LCFD)

Crews controlled the fire within 15 minutes. The building didn’t have anyone inside.

The injured firefighter went to a hospital.

LCFD said the cause of the fire is under investigation.

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