Category: kvia-local-news

Gabrielle Lopez

UPDATE (June 23, 2026) — ABC-7 obtained arrest affidavits detailing a stabbing at a Vista market store. Documents allege 20-year-old Isaiah Jonathan Cardenas is responsible for stabbing and injuring a man.

According to documents, Cardenas allegedly punched, kicked and stabbed a man inside a Vista Market store in Far East El Paso. It happened June 20 at 8:49 p.m., documents said.

Video recorded at the store showed him allegedly stabbing the victim multiple times in the back and stomach area, according to documents. The video also showed Cardenas allegedly going leaving in a dark SUV.

The victim’s injuries weren’t life threatening, documents said.

Later, at 10:45 p.m., the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fight at a home on Sun Beam Drive, which is about a 10 minute drive north of the Vista Market.

According to a separate arrest affidavit, during a cookout at a nearby house, Cardenas and an unnamed “involved other” talked about how they just fought someone.

Marisela Zamora dropped off her nephew at a home on Sun Beam Drive after the cookout. She alleged Cardenas and the involved other then assaulted her nephew, documents said.

Zamora tried to separate them and started recording the incident with her phone, documents said. She was able to separate her nephew and left the area with him while recording.

She said either Cardenas or the involved other took her phone, documents said. After she left, she said she wanted her phone back. Documents said Cardenas allegedly threw the phone into a fire. A deputy later found the phone, which was destroyed.

Deputies could not find Cardenas or the involved area because they left the area, documents said.

At the home, deputies saw a dark SUV similar to the one seen at the grocery store at the time of the stabbing, documents said. The SUV was registered under Cardenas’ mother, documents said.

Deputies met with his mother, Janet Garcia, who also owned the Sunbeam Drive property, according to documents. While searching the property, deputies found white shoes matching what Cardenas allegedly wore in the video seen at the store.

Deputies noted the shoes also had possible blood, documents said.

Deputies compared Cardenas’ mugshot and video from Vista Market. Documents said both showed a distinctive back tattoo led officials to believe he stabbed the man.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Monday, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested three people following a stabbing investigation at a Far East El Paso grocery store. The suspects were arrested after a brief standoff at an apartment in West El Paso.

Saturday, deputies went to the Vista Market grocery store off Montana Avenue in Far East El Paso at 8:51 p.m. Deputies learned four people left the area before law enforcement showed up, EPCSO said.

The preliminary investigation revealed two men allegedly assaulted two people. During the alleged assault, one of the suspects stabbed both victims and caused serious injuries, EPCSO said.

EPCSO’s Special Operations Unit then launched an investigation to find the suspects and victims. The sheriff’s office said the victims were at a local hospital getting treatment.

Deputies found a suspect vehicle behind a mobile home at the 15500 block of Sun Beam Drive, which is in the Homestead Meadows North area, EPCSO said. A search warrant was obtained and investigators found evidence in the vehicle.

Sunday, deputies found two people involved in the alleged assault, EPCSO said.

Law enforcement arrested 20-year-old Isaiah Jonathan Cardenas, EPCSO said. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault causing bodily injury and criminal mischief. His bond totaled $267,500.

They also arrested 22-year-old Felipe De Jesus Cardenas, who was charged with assault causing bodily injury and a $15,000 bond.

Isaiah Cardenas (left) and Felipe Cardenas (right)(Courtesy: EPCSO)

Further investigation led deputies to an apartment at the Retreat at Mesa Hills, EPCSO said. Both suspects were there, and Isaiah Cardenas went into the apartment.

EPCSO said he, his brother, sister and mother barricaded themselves into the apartment.

Investigators got a search warrant for the apartment, and EPCSO’s Crisis Negotiations Team and SWAT went to help with the operation.

After a brief standoff, the family surrendered.

A third person, 24-year-old Zaithed Janet Cardenas was charged with hindering apprehension of a wanted person with a $3,000 bond, EPCSO said.

Zaithed Janet Cardenas(Courtesy: EPCSO)

All three arrested booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Six Texas Tech Health El Paso faculty appeared on the Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List, TTHEP said Monday. The ranking recognizes research impact from across 22 scientific fields.

The named scientists’ fields focus on diabetes, heart disease and cancer, TTHEP said. Such conditions disproportionately affect the Borderplex area, according to the school. Focusing on these fields can help improve and extend the quality of life for the community, TTHEP said.

Here are the recognized scientists, according to TTHEP:

Deborah Joy Clegg is the university’s vice president for research and a professor of internal medicine. TTHEP said she spent 30 years researching how metabolism findings from studies of men often don’t apply to women.

Her research contributed to a federal mandate requiring sex to be included as a biological variable in National Institutes of Health-funded studies, TTHEP said. She moved to El Paso to apply the same framework to Hispanic women in the Borderplex.

Biff F. Palmer is a professor of internal medicine and medical education. His study on obesity is his most-cited work, according to TTHEP. In 2025, he earned the American Society of Nephrology’s premier award, the Robert G. Narins Award. Nephrology studies the kidneys.

Debabrata Mukherjee is the chair of internal medicine and chief of cardiovascular medicine, TTHEP said. He published more than 500 studies with focuses on generic therapies with results comparable to expensive branded medications, the school said.

Attilio Orazi, chair of pathology, worked with the World Health Organization to develop blood cancer classification systems used in clinical practice around the world, TTHEP said.

Subodh Kumar got a grant to study Alzheimer’s disease in Hispanic patients. He said that population is underrepresented in research and early diagnosis in the community “remains essentially incomplete.”

The sixth recognized scientist is the late Richard W. McCallum, who founded and built the university’s internal medicine department, TTHEP said. His research focused on gastroenterology, which look sat the digestive system and its disorders.

McCallum would become one of the most published figures in his field, TTHEP said. He had more than 600 journal articles, 150 book chapters and 18 textbooks.

His work helped 4,000 people a a year with procedural options for severe gastroparesis, TTHEP said. Gastroparesis happens when the stomach muscles don’t move food as they should for digestion, according to the Mayo Clinic. Sometimes it’s linked to diabetes.

Later this fall, the university’s will mentor the first biomedical doctoral students in Far West Texas, TTHEP said. The Francis Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences has five students concentrating in diabetes, cancer, infectious diseases and neurological conditions.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Within the last week, El Paso Animal Services has seen an expected but significant increase in missing or unhoused pets as the summer begins and the Fourth of July holiday nears.

According to EPAS, nearly 600 pets have been entered into their two local facilities in the last week alone. The shelter now has more than 1,000 pets in its care — potentially putting EPAS over capacity.

In addition, with the holiday next Saturday, EPAS needs help preparing for its largest intake day of the year. Celebratory fireworks often scare pets and cause them to run away, the shelter said.

By fostering a pet, even temporarily, you can help free up valuable kennel space for animals who may arrive after the holiday. ⁠

EPAS said all you need to foster is to be 18 years or older, live in El paso and have a valid photo ID. You can learn more about fostering by visiting its website.

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Jerry Najera

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Brian Kanof, a photographer who chronicled El Paso life and its athletes for more than five decades, has died, the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame said. He was 77.

Kanof began photographing the city in 1967 and spent years shooting news assignments for the El Paso Times. His portfolio included portraits of entertainers such as Bill Cosby, Willie Nelson and news images documenting the community.

He was inducted into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. Kanof is also known for taking the iconic photograph of coach Don Haskins that was later used to create a statue that greets visitors at the Don Haskins Center.

“Brian will always be a part of our lives. A patriot, a father, a photographer and a friend to our history,” Ray Adauto, president of the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, said.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — An El Paso tradition returns next Friday for its 49th season. VIVA! El Paso will once again reconnect the Borderland with music and stories representing the Borderland.

VIVA! El Paso said the show takes on McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater June 26 through Aug. 1.

Set against the Franklin Mountains, VIVA! brings 400 years of Borderland history to life with colorful live performances. The first show debuted 1978, according to VIVA! El Paso.

“For nearly five decades, families have gathered at McKelligon Canyon to celebrate our shared history and traditions. This season honors that legacy while welcoming a new generation to experience the magic of VIVA!,” Artistic Director Jaime Carrasco said.

Performances will take place Fridays and Saturdays at the amphitheater at 8 p.m., VIVA! El Paso said. According to Ticketmaster, tickets cost $32.80. You can buy tickets here.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — The New Mexico State University Police Department arrested a 46-year-old man for owning an explosive device, jail records said. Authorities found a book about making explosives in his home, according to court documents.

According to court documents, NMSU Police went to David J. Curtis’, trailer home in the desert June 9. Authorities received a call that he detonated pipe bombs.

It was south of 4100 Dripping Springs road near Centennial High School. It’s also not too far from the NMSU campus. Documents said the property had a makeshift fence, barbed wire and a “no trespassing” sign.

Documents said land in the area belongs to the Elephant Butte Irrigation District, but Curtis claimed his family member owned the land.

The person who called police said he heard an explosion, saw two men in the desert and saw another explosion, documents said. NMSU police set up a perimeter at the trailer home and watched two men walk back and forth around the property.

While police watched the men, a woman in a truck pulled up and dropped off wooden pallets. Curtis then tried to leave the area, but was stopped and questioned, documents said. He refused to share his identity and was arrested.

The woman, Tamara Lewis, tried to leave the area too, and was stopped and questioned. She said she didn’t know anything about the explosives or pipe bombs, according to documents. Police dismissed her after questioning.

Curtis’ son, Thomas, went up to police and “refused to cooperate.” Police arrested him too, documents said.

A search warrant was obtained based on the statements made by the person who called police, documents said.

A Las Cruces Police drone found a crater on the northeast end of the property, which matched the reporting person’s story about seeing an explosion in the same area, documents said.

The drone also found a fire extinguisher in a blue barrel with several wires, marking it as a suspicious item, according to documents.

An explosive detection dog handler said suspects will do test runs of homemade explosives before a bombing run, documents said.

The Dona Ana Sheriff’s Office’s bomb squad helped with the warrant. Authorities found chemicals and a copper pipe with a fuse hidden under the RV, documents said.

DASO’s bomb squad took away unknown chemicals, sol sulfur, aluminum powder, hydrochloric acid and potassium chloride, according to documents.

NMSU Police took away the empty copper pipe, fuse and found a book titled “Blasters’ Handbook,” which had instructions to make explosives, documents said.

Public safety bomb technicians confirmed that if the chemicals combined in the pipe, Curtis would have had a working explosive, documents said.

June 10, Curtis was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on possession of explosive device or incendiary device, jail records said. He was booked without bond.

According to records, Curtis has a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 25.

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Rosemary Garcia

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — This summer break, a select group of El Paso educators will take part in a unique, real-world training and take their findings back to the classroom.

Since 2023, Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Educational Development’s (CREEED) Educator Externship Program has partnered with regional businesses to provide educators with a one-week paid externship.

Between 15-20 teachers place into regional businesses, immerse themselves in the daily operations, gain insights into workforce trends, and observe skills that are needed to succeed in these types of fields.

Eric Garcia, a teacher of principles of applied engineering at Coronado High School, was among those selected this year. ABC-7 was there as he toured El Paso Electric’s Montana Power Plant.

“It’s amazing to me. Yeah. I’m like a kid at Disneyland right now,” he told ABC-7.

Garcia said he was excited to be participating in this program. The high school teacher explained he has applied several different times before. He was pleasantly surprised when he learned he was selected this year.

He said, “I was excited when I saw the email that I was actually able to come in and be a part of the program!”

CREEED’s Choose to Excel Director, Nadia Tellez, said this externship allows teachers to take their experiences from the field and embed it into their teaching.

“This is like a flip on career day. So when you have a career day, we have these great businesses go out to schools and talk to kids. This flips it on its side and really gives a professional development to our teachers so that our teachers learn the ins and outs, and now they’re making content connections,” she said.

Garcia was able to interact with experienced professionals at El Paso Electric.

Aimee Saldivar, the senior organizational development training specialist at El Paso Electric, explained this is the third year the utility company has partnered with CREEED for this externship.

“I just spoke to their teacher right now, and I asked them, ‘What do you think so far?’ And this is only day two. And he’s like, I’m so overwhelmed. I looked probably like a deer in headlights with headlights. So I think a lot of this is all kind of connecting the dots, too, in terms of how it connects with the subject that he’s teaching,” said Saldivar.

This upcoming school year, these teachers will return to the classroom and provide students with examples of what they learned in the field, and how it directly relates to what they’re learning.

“Educators are lifetime students. And so you’re already seeing him make connections to not only the content that he teaches, but those soft skills that he’s going to embed,” said Tellez.

After spending a week at their respective businesses, teachers then create a lesson plan based on what they learned.

“I would hope that all the information that they take back with them, to fit into the curriculum with the students, that it’s something innovative or something that they didn’t know before or something that they never included in their classes. So it’s really something that’s new to the students when they hear it for the first time,” Saldivar said.

Garcia was able to visit various departments at El Paso Electric. He learned about system operations, power generation, distribution design, etc.

The high school teacher said he was eager to get back into the classroom and tell his students all about what he learned, so they will be able to use it one day in their future careers.

“I’m trying to open up my eyes so I can open up the students’ eyes as well,” Garcia added.

Participating teachers also get a $750 stipend. Other businesses taking part in this externship include: El Paso Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Electric, the El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, El Paso Inc., First Light Federal Credit Union, GECU, Pizza Properties, The Hospitals of Providence, among others.

To learn more about CREEED’s Educator Externships, click here.

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Max Zepeda

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Team USA soccer group is back on the pitch Friday afternoon after a thrilling 4-1 victory over Paraguay in last week’s World Cup match.

El Pasoans will gather to witness what the team has in store for the match against Australia.

During the match, ABC-7 spoke with FC Dallas El Paso Director Mike Lopez.

He helped organize a youth soccer camp in East El Paso once attended by Ricardo Pepi and Alex Zendejas, who are both playing for Team USA in the World Cup!

“I was super proud of Pepe. He’s always been a hard worker since he was a little kid,” Lopez told ABC-7. “So he deserves every chance he’s gotten, every opportunity he deserved it. He’s a hard worker.”

For Lopez, the purpose of his initiative isn’t solely driven on every young player trying to become the next Pepe and Zendejas.

“Try to teach the kids what it is about soccer,” he said. “Like I tell everybody — you have to practice every day. Every skill we do at the campus for them to train, practice at home, and hopefully they become a national team player like Ricardo and Alejandro Zendejas.”

Lopez said he plans on seeing both Pepe and Zendejas in person in Los Angeles. That’s where they’ll have their final World Cup group match on Thursday against Turkey. 

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The Hospitals of Providence on Friday named Victoria Gonzalez as its new chief executive officer for the Memorial Campus and Children’s Hospital.

Gonzalez has worked for THOP since 1995, the hospital said. She served in several leadership roles, including group chief financial officer over the El Paso market.

She graduated from the University of Phoenix with a business and accounting degree and from Trinity University with a master’s degree in healthcare administration, according to THOP.

“As a native El Pasoan, Victoria brings a deep understanding of our community and a personal commitment to improving access to high-quality care. We are very excited for the next chapter at the Memorial Campus and Providence Children’s Hospital under her leadership,” said Nicholas Tejeda, Western Group President for Tenet Healthcare.

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Gabrielle Lopez

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — A fire damaged a Las Cruces mobile home, according to the Las Cruces Fire Department Friday.

Thursday afternoon, firefighters went to the mobile home at 1300 block of Calle Sosa near Encino Avenue at 3:30 p.m., LCFD said.

Crews found a double-wide trailer with fire coming from the attic, according to the fire department. Firefighters went into the home and controlled it within 13 minutes, eventually putting it out.

LCFD said nobody was injured and the fire’s cause is under investigation.

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