Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (Sept. 4, 2026): El Paso police said they arrested 50-year-old Richard Montoya after Wednesday’s shooting.

EPPD said they were dispatched to Windsor Drive for an assault in progress. They found a 49-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound. He went to a hospital.

Police charged Montoya with aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm in certain municipalities. His bond totaled $76,500. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

Richard Montoya’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPPD)

Crimes Against Persons responded to the scene.

UPDATE (11:54 p.m.): The El Paso Police Department said a man in his 40s has been taken to a local hospital after suffering a gunshot wound.

EPPD went on to add that a man in his 50s has been taken into custody following what they called a dispute between neighbors.

The Crimes Against Persons Unit with EPPD is currently investigating.

ABC-7 will continue to bring updates as they become available.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — El Paso police said a shooting happened in Northeast El Paso near Andress High School on Wednesday.

The El Paso Police Department said it happened around 7:54 p.m. at the 10300 block of Windsor Drive.

ABC-7 reached out to the El Paso Fire Department about its FireSTAR helicopter being seen at the shooting. EPFD said it didn’t transport anyone.

An ABC-7 viewer sent a picture of the scene.

Click here to follow the original article.

Miroslava Lem Quinonez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) – Deputies arrested a 65-year-old man on three deceptive business practice warrants, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said.

According to documents, a victim alleged Humberto Camarillo stole $2,500.

Documents said the victim contacted the owner of Coast 2 Coast Automotive and Collision about a car listed for sale on Facebook. The shop owner said the car belonged to Camarillo and gave the victim his contact information.

The victim told investigators he texted Camarillo to make a deal with him, documents said. Camarillo allegedly agreed to sell the car for $5,000.

On July 29, the victim used Zelle to pay Camarillo $2,500, to hold the car for him, documents said. The victim had to make two separate payments since Zelle had a $2,000 limit.

On Aug. 2, the victim sent the remaining $500. Documents said Camarillo was supposed to send the vehicle the same day, but didn’t.

While speaking with Camarillo, the victim asked if he owned a construction company. He asked if he would be interested in remodeling his mother’s restroom, documents said. The victim agreed to pay Camarillo $1,500 after he remodeled the restroom.

Camarillo allegedly asked for an additional $500 payment. The victim said he had quoted him one price to remodel the restroom and refused to send the payment, documents said.

On Aug. 6, Camarillo said the vehicle he was selling was no longer available, documents said.

Camarillo allegedly said, “I’ll use the money you sent me for the car to remodel your mom’s restroom.” The victim said that the money was meant for the car, and using it for the restroom went against what they agreed on, documents said.

The victim went to Coast 2 Coast Automotive and Collision on Aug. 12 and confronted the owner. The victim alleged Camarillo didn’t answer his calls or messages.

The shop’s owner called Camarillo to ask if he would return the $2,500. Camarillo allegedly said no, documents said.

Camarillo said he would send $500 back through Zelle, but the victim never received the payment, documents said.

The victim told investigators he later saw Camarillo repost the vehicle for sale on Facebook for $8,000.

The victim learned that Camarillo had a history of deceptive business practices and had two outstanding warrants, documents said.

Tuesday, deputies arrested Camarillo and booked him into the Downtown Detention Facility on the three warrants. His bond totaled $10,000.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Wednesday, two people, including a teenager, went to the hospital after an ATV crash in East El Paso, the County Sheriff’s Office said.

At 9:06 a.m., EPCSO deputies went to the 13500 block of Timothy Drive near Desert Wind School to respond to the crash. Special Traffic Investigators took over the investigation.

Investigators said a 15-year-old drove the ATV at a high rate of speed on a dirt road. The driver lost control after driving over a dirt berm, EPCSO said.

The teen sustained serious injuries, EPCSO said. A passenger went to a hospital with minor injuries.

The investigation is ongoing.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso Fire Department employee allegedly took fuel from an EPFD vehicle to put into his personal vehicles, according to the El Paso County Constable’s Office, Precinct 4.

In a news release sent Wednesday, the constable’s office said 51-year-old Oscar Maldonado took the fuel from different City of El Paso fuel pump locations. Authorities arrested him Monday and charged him with theft and abuse of official capacity.

The constable’s office said Maldonado’s neighbor reported the alleged fuel theft.

Since the allegations involved possible public corruption offenses, the constable’s office requested assistance from the Texas Department of Public Safety.

An investigation revealed video footage of Maldonado allegedly placing five-gallon fuel containers into various take-home vehicles with markings that indicated they belonged to EPFD, officials said.

Videos showed Maldonado allegedly dispensing the fuel into his family’s vehicles at his home in Anthony, New Mexico, documents said. His spouse or daughter also allegedly dispensed the fuel.

EPFD and the City of El Paso helped find other videos showing Maldonado allegedly using his fuel pump employee access to dispense fuel bought by the city meant for city vehicles. He allegedly filled fuel containers and used them to fill his own personal vehicles.

“Maldonado’s actions were intentional and were committed for his and his family’s personal benefit,” the constable’s office said. “Maldonado’s employment with the El Paso Fire Department granted him access to the fuel purchased by the City of El Paso for use by the City of El Paso for official governmental purposes.”

Authorities booked Maldonado into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $4,000 bond.

The City of El Paso issued the following statement:

“The El Paso Fire Department (EPFD) was notified that a civilian employee was the subject of a criminal investigation involving allegations related to theft of City property. The employee was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. 

On September 1, 2026, the EPFD was notified that the employee had been arrested in connection with the investigation. The EPFD is cooperating fully with the investigating agencies. As this remains an active criminal proceeding, the Department will not comment further. 

The EPFD remains committed to integrity, accountability, transparency, and professionalism and has taken appropriate action consistent with applicable laws and policies.”

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of five felonies in connection with a gun shop burglary in Las Cruces, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday.

In November 2025, six teens used a stolen Kia Forte to smash through Strykers Shooting World, according to the district attorney’s office. They stole nine handguns, two rifles and a shot gun.

Surveillance cameras inside Strykers Shooting World captured images, including this one, of the suspects who broke into and burglarized the store.

After a three-day trial and seven-hour deliberation, a jury returned a mixed verdict for Adan Delgado, one of the involved teens.

The district attorney’s office said Delgado is guilty of unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, tampering with evidence and conspiracy charges. However, he’s acquitted of larceny and a separate vehicle theft charge.

The judge declared a mistrial for the two remaining felony counts of aggravated burglary and larceny.

Delgado never entered Strykers, but he planned the burglary, according to the district attorney’s office. It also said he helped facilitate the theft of a vehicle the group used during the break-in.

“Adan Delgado knew what he was doing,” said Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando Macias.  “He knew the intent and directly contributed to putting more guns into this community.”

Surveillance video showed the group leaving the store in another stolen car, a Kia Rio, the district attorney’s office said.

Police found a class schedule belonging to one of the involved teens, which helped investigators find and arrest them.

The group caused $20,000 in damage to the store and stole $15,000 worth of weapons. They also totaled one of the stolen cars — which cost an estimated $18,000 in damage, the district attorney’s office said. The debt went to the car’s owner.

“They couldn’t have done this without the help of Adan Delgado,” said Macias. “This is one step toward justice in this case. Our office intends to hold all the teenage defendants involved accountable.”

An amenability hearing will be scheduled before sentencing for Delgado.

Three other defendants are awaiting trial.

Click here to follow the original article.

Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A second defendant pleaded guilty for his role in a 2023 deadly shooting outside the Ditzy Duck Bar on Airway Boulevard. Aaron John received a 35-year prison sentence for a shooting that killed two people.

John, who’s 25-years-old, pleaded guilty to murder and attempted capital murder on Aug. 21, the 34th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said. His counts will run concurrently.

On July 13, 2023, a fight broke out in the parking lot of the Ditzy Duck Bar.

The District Attorney’s Office said 26-year-old James Nicholson and his Girlfriend, 27-year-old Alexa Renata were involved in a physical altercation in the parking lot.

Surveillance video showed Andrew Williams pulling out a handgun and firing toward the group, the District Attorney’s Office said.

Nicholson and Renata died, the District Attorney’s Office said. Four others were injured.

John shot his own weapon into the air, then at witnesses, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

As ABC-7 previously reported, Fort Bliss military police stopped a suspected vehicle that Williams and John used at the Constitution gate. Jail records said Williams and John had addresses in the military installation.

Williams previously pleaded guilty to murder and attempted capital murder. He received a life sentence in July 2025.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lauren Bly

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office faces a more than $4 million deficit — up more than $550,000 from last week.

During Monday’s El Paso County Commissioner’s Court meeting, Budget and Finance Director Carmen Candelaria said projected deficit is because of salaries, overtime and meals at the jails.

She also said the department has just over $9 million left in its budget.

At the end of the meeting, county commissioners unanimously approved moving $1.5 million from the county’s operations budget to help with the cost of meals at the jails. They also approved transferring $27,000 from the courthouse security fund to cover the cost of ballistic shields.

ABC-7 spoke to County Judge Ricardo Samaniego who said that issues like over time are not a simple fix.

“You can’t compare that, saving someone’s life versus paying overtime,” said Samaniego.

He did say that the county has a contingency fund to cover the deficit and that the sheriff’s budget will be higher next year.

In August, the department faced a $2.5 million shortfall.

ABC-7 reached out to the sheriff’s office for comment.

He sent ABC-7 a statement:

In response to recent reports regarding the Sheriff’s Office projected budget shortfall, I want to provide additional context to our community.

The increasing year-end projection should not be interpreted to mean that our overtime spending is increasing at the same rate. We have been actively working to control and maintain overtime while continuing to operate two detention facilities and provide law enforcement services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The projection also changes as necessary operating expenses continue to be processed, including inmate food, medical and hospital expenses, facility operations, utilities, fuel, salaries, and other essential costs of operating the Sheriff’s Office.

I take our responsibility to taxpayers seriously. We are reviewing expenditures, reducing costs wherever we safely can, and working with the Budget Team, County Administration, and Commissioners Court. At the same time, I have consistently raised concerns that our funding, particularly for overtime, does not reflect the actual operational needs of the Sheriff’s Office.

My goal is not to argue over a projection. My goal is to work together to identify the actual costs of safely operating the Sheriff’s Office and develop a realistic and sustainable budget so we do not find ourselves facing the same situation again next year.

We will continue to be transparent, accountable, and focused on providing safe and responsible public safety services to the people of El Paso County.

Click here to follow the original article.

Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An 88-year-old woman said she needs help making repairs to her mobile home. Rita Yorgensen lives in Casa Mobil Home Park in Northeast El Paso.

Yorgensen said she lives on a fixed income and has no credit. The mobile home she rents needs roof repairs — but she said she can’t afford it.

A local repair company, Top Dog Roofing TX, created a GoFundMe to raise money for Yorgensen’s repairs.

“Well, it’s hard to be me. You feel like you’re not needed in the world,” said Yorgensen.

She told ABC-7 she has been living in the property since 1985. She used to live their with her husband and family until her husband passed away and her children eventually moved out.

“My life is a mess, just a mess,” said Yorgensen.

Eric and Manny from Top Dog Roofing TX were initially called to the scene to do a roof inspection. They quickly learned the home was in need of many more repairs.

ABC-7 visited the mobile home. The front door doesn’t lock, so Yorgensen created a makeshift barricade to keep the door shut.

There are also multiple openings in the ceiling that allow rain and debris to fall through. Along with water damage, burnt electrical outlets and the exterior skirting of the home is deteriorating.

“Well, what am I going to do? Where am I going to be? You know, all these things. Where can I go? The children are disappointed. And, you know, it’s hard. They won’t let my son work.” said Yorgensen.

Eric said he recognized how much stress and hardship these repairs have caused Yorgensen.

“Nobody should be living like this. What’s the point of having a construction company if you’re not building the community,” said Eric.

“But at the end of it all, we’re all somebody’s daughter, somebody’s sister, somebody’s grandmother, somebody, you know, and it’s just somebody helping somebody else,” he said.

Pedraza said all the repairs could cost about $4,000.

For Yorgensen, those repairs represent much more than just fixing a structure. They represent keeping the place she has called home for decades and preserving the memories built inside it.

With the deadline approaching and limited options available, her story serves as a reminder of how impactful neighbor-to-neighbor support can be when a member of the community falls on hard times.

Those who wish to contribute to Yorgensen’s repair fund can find the donation link here.

Click here to follow the original article.

Carpio Griego

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Tuesday, the El Paso City Council unanimously voted to change a Central El Paso park’s name to “Lincoln Park-El Paso’s Chicano Park.”

The park is located at 4001 Duranzo Avenue in South-Central El Paso. It passes under the Spaghetti Bowl and has notable murals painted onto the overpass beams.

District 2 Representative Josh Acevedo presented the change based on a recommendation from the city’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

The name change applied on behalf of the Lincoln Park Conservation Committee. It canvased the neighborhood and gathered signatures in support of putting the item on the council’s agenda.

According to the application, the name change aims to honor the neighborhood’s 150-year history. The application said the new name refers to what some El Pasoans call the park.

Documents said Hector Gonzales, a member of the park’s conservation committee, would be responsible for costs associated with the name change.

Gonzales said the committee collected thousands of signatures in support of the name change despite only 59 being accepted on Tuesday’s meeting due to rules requiring

During Tuesday’s meeting, Gonzales said renaming the park to include “Chicano” in it would enhance a partnership with the Chuco Park Group in San Diego, California.

“We lose out on tourism. We lose out on people visiting,” Gonzales said during the meeting. “By adding this name, we get thrown into the Google search. There’s San Diego. There’s El Paso. Now you got a choice.”

Lincoln Park will have a new name reflecting the Chicano culture tied to the community.(Courtesy: KVIA/File)

Additionally, the new name reflects El Paso’s Chicano history. Community members often gather at the park for lowrider shows, according to the park’s conservation committee. Many of its murals also have Chicano references.

Acevedo told ABC-7 this was why the committee didn’t want to a complete name change.

“They said we want to preserve Lincoln Park because we celebrate that history but we want to extend the name and also honor the other history related to the park,” Acevedo said.

Click here to follow the original article.

Lauren Bly

UPDATE (Sept. 3, 2026): El Paso Police said 36-year-old Ramiro Aaron Sanchez died while performing maintenance on heavy machinery.

Police said the equipment fell on him.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also responded to the incident.

Police said no foul play is suspected in the incident. EPPD is continuing the investigation.

UPDATE (11:57 p.m.): Wagner Equipment Co. posted a statement about Wednesday’s industrial death.

“Earlier today, a serious incident occurred involving one of our employees in El Paso, Texas.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the employee, their family, coworkers, and all those affected during this difficult time.

Out of respect for those involved and the ongoing investigation, we are not able to provide additional details at this time. We appreciate your understanding and respect for the privacy of those affected.”

Wagner Equipment is a Caterpillar equipment dealer in New Mexico and West Texas. It specializes in parts, service, sales and rental.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Police Department is investigating an “industrial death” in Northwest El Paso Wednesday.

El Paso Police Department Detective Judy Ovidedo said heavy machinery fell onto a man in his mid-30s.

EPPD said the call came in at 10:05 a.m. The Crimes Against Persons Unit is investigating the death on the 7200 block Paseo Del Norte near Reyes Elementary School.

A man in his mid-30s died after heavy machinery fell on him, according to El Paso police. The police’s Crime Against Persons Unit is investigating it as an “industrial death.”(Courtesy: KVIA)

Detective Oviedo said the area around the scene will be closed off for several hours.

At the scene, ABC-7 saw a medical examiner truck, El Paso police and Canutillo Independent School District police.

Police didn’t identify the man.

Click here to follow the original article.