UPDATE: DOUBLE HOMICIDE IN SOCORRO, TX / ARREST MADE
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Direct: (915) 538-2119
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date / Time: Tuesday, June 23, 2009 4:20 PM
SECTION: El Paso County Sheriff's Office – CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION (CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS)
EVENT: DOUBLE HOMICIDE – 1 SUSPECT ARRESTED / 1 REMAINS AT LARGE
LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: 11638 ALAMEDA SOCORRO, TX (A&M BAR)
DATE / TIME: MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009 2:00 AM
RESULT: ARREST MADE / INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
SOCORRO, TX– Early Monday morning 6-22-2009 at approximately 2:00 AM, Sheriff’s Deputies along with the Socorro police Dept. are dispatched to the A & M Bar located at 11638 Alameda Socorro, TX in reference to a shooting with subjects down. Authorities arrive to find two victims - shot once each. Preliminary investigation reveals that prior to the incident, approximately 40 individuals were inside the bar when an argument ensued among some patrons. The argument led to a confrontation outside the bar where reports indicate over 20 individuals were seen outside the establishment as events unfolded. The argument resulted in a physical altercation leading to “shots fired”.
Crimes Against Persons Detectives were summoned to the scene & launched a full scale investigation of the incident. The two Victim’s shot were brothers – they both died due to the wounds sustained. They were identified as Jose Vargas (37) who died at the scene & Jesus Vargas Jr. (46) who died at the hospital – both from Socorro, TX.
The “shooter” was said to have fled the scene in a dark colored passenger vehicle, described by witnesses as possibly being a Dodge Intrepid with unknown registration. The motive for the violent murders is still unclear at this time.
Late Monday night 06-22-09, after actively working this case for several hours, CID Detectives apprehended one of the subjects involved . The suspect was identified as VICTOR IGNACIO GOMEZ (28) of the 12900 block of Harnose El Paso County, TX.
CID Detectives continue with this investigation as more arrests are forthcoming. Sheriff’s Investigator’s are asking the public - if anyone has any information pertaining to these Homicides to please contact the Sheriff’s Office (915) 546-2280 or Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 566-TIPS (8477). Callers will remain anonymous & may be eligible for a reward if the information provided leads to the apprehension of the individuals featured.
A second suspect responsible for the shooting has been positively identified & is now on the run wanted for CAPITAL MURDER. A SPECIAL EDITION OF MANHUNT is forthcoming in the next hour-STAY TUNED.
A REMINDER FROM SHERIFF’S OFFICE INVESTIGATORS; ANYONE CAUGHT HINDERING OR AIDING ANY FUGITIVE WILL BE PROSECUTED.
ARRESTED:
VICTOR IGNACIO GOMEZ (28)
CHARGE:
CAPITAL MURDER – **NO BOND**
(NOTE: INDIVIDUAL ARRESTED / SHOWN ABOVE IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW)
END OF NEWS RELEASE
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office in March of 2001 was the first Sheriff’s Office in the State of Texas to be Internationally Accredited from CALEA and is now the recipient of the First CALEA Tri-Arc award in Texas (4th in the Nation) to have accreditations in: Law Enforcement, Communications, Training Academy.