Family Dispute leads to Arson / Subject Found Deceased
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer
(915) 538-2223
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Friday, May 16, 2008 12:30 AM
WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Lower Valley Patrol /Criminal Investigation Division-Arson Investigators)
WHAT: Family Dispute leads to Arson / Male Subject found Deceased
WHERE: 3831 Krag Far East El Paso County, Texas (Montana Vista area)
WHEN: Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 7:00 PM
WHY: Under Investigation
Information:
On Thursday afternoon 05-15-08 at about 2:30 PM the El Paso Police Department was called to a residence at the 7200 block Amethyst El Paso, TX in reference to a family argument involving a male & female couple. Responding EPPD Officers arrived, separated the couple & initiated a report.
Later that evening at about 7:00 PM, residents observed a male subject who is known to reside at 3831 Krag (Montana Vista area) from time to time was acting suspiciously around the residence. Witnesses then observed the subject ignite the home on fire & quickly get into his truck & leave the scene. Neighbors immediately called 911 & rapidly grabbed their water hoses in an effort to extinguish the fire.
Upon arrival, Deputies found the residence fully engulfed in flames. Deputies immediately secured the area and began interviewing people for information. Neighbors told Deputies what they had witnessed / recognizing the person responsible for the fire. Deputies immediately began searching the area to try & locate the subject's truck.
Montana Vista Fire Dept. arrived to the scene & quickly battled the flames that were spreading to the main part of the house. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames & save a portion of the home. No one was at the residence at the time of the fire.
The El Paso Fire Department Fire Marshals & Sheriff's Office CID-Arson Investigator's were summoned to the scene. The Red Cross was also summoned to provide assistance to the family who were arriving home as the fire was being extinguished.
Fire Investigators confirmed the fire was intentionally set to the residence. The fire damaged a portion of the home which included a garage & two vehicles parked next to the residence. The fire also damaged a home next door. No estimated damage amount was available at the time.
Early Friday morning 05-16-08 at 6:30 AM, Sheriff Deputies were called to the 6900 block of Hueco Tanks Rd. in reference to a unresponsive male subject. The male subject was found by a Park Ranger patrolling Hueco Tanks State Historic Park. Deputies arrived and found the male subject unresponsive with no signs of life (deceased). Sheriff Detectives were called to the scene.
After a brief investigation, it was determined by Sheriff's Detectives that the deceased male was the same subject responsible for the family dispute / arson from the previous day.
The Deceased was identified as Paul David Lucero (47) from 3800 block of Krag El Paso County, Texas.
No other information is being released at this time. This case remains under investigation.