Two Arrested In Del Valle Student Assault

By Miguel Martinez

EL PASO — Investigators with the El Paso Police Department have arrested two teens in connection with the assault of Christopher Mata at Del Valle High School on Wednesday.

Detectives with the Mission Valley Tactical Assault Unit and the Drive-by Shooting Response Team said Friday that Mata willingly met 19-year-old Jorge Flores and another 16-year-old boy to be ‘jumped out’ of a gang.

Being ‘jumped out’ is the opposite method of beating a would-be member to be ‘jumped into’ a gang. Investigators said that even though the victim participated willingly in the event, it is still illegal to assault someone.

The preliminary investigation indicated that Mata wanted out of one gang in order to join another. Both teens arrested have been charged with aggravated assault. Flores was booked into the El Paso Jail, the juvenile was referred to the Juvenile Probation Department.

Wednesday, an off-duty officer working security at Del Valle High School was informed of a student beaten and lying in a stairway on campus. The officer found the student bleeding from injuries sustained during the assault.

Doctors treating Mata at R.E. Thomason Hospital saidhe suffered from skull fractures and had swelling in his brain. He is currently still recovering from his injuries.

More information is forthcoming from ABC-7 here on KVIA.com and in our later newscasts.