UPDATE: Deputies arrest Fort Bliss soldier in beating of NMSU student

Deputies arrested a Fort Bliss soldier accused of beating an NMSU student outside a house party during the weekend.

Deric Edward Joyce, 22, turned himself in at the Doa Ana County Sheriff’s Office Anthony substation. He’s charged with aggravated battery, battery, and public affray.

Deputies say the alleged fight was captured on video and Joyce is seen throwing 18-year-old Gabriel Benavidez onto to the ground before reportedly kicking the victim in the face.

The family of Benavidez said he remained in intensive care Thursday. Benavidez suffered a traumatic brain injury after a fight broke out just after midnight in the 6000 block of Vista de Oro in Picacho Hills in west Las Cruces. Sheriff’s deputies said Joyce might have been involved in a separate fight the same night.

“Gabriel saw the fight going on and being the guy that he is he wanted to break it up,” said Alyna Ferrales, Benavidez’s cousin.

Ferrales said the well-liked NMSU freshman was at a party in Picacho Hills on Saturday night. The fight broke out a couple blocks away.

“When he went and he tried to go help him, one of the guys got him and body slammed him,” Ferrales said. “And when he body slammed him to the floor, Gabriel’s on his knees and this guy kicks him in the head.”

According to court documents, witnesses told detectives Joyce was with a group of men seen leaving the residence after Doa Ana County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to disperse the party. More than a dozen calls to the Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority alerted deputies to the party. Neighbors told dispatchers there were “hundreds of people” in attendance, and a responding deputy estimated there were more than 50 cars parked for approximately four blocks.

Detectives say witnesses described Joyce as being agitated wit Benvidez and one of his friends. They said Joyce was urged Joyce to leave. The groups was traveling together in a red Jeep.

“I don’t know what kind of person would do that. I don’t know if you’re trying to show off, what kind of person that is, but you don’t do that,” Feralles said.

Benavidez was taken to a Las Cruces hospital, but was later airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso. Detectives learned the victim suffered from bleeding and tears to his brain, fractures to the sinus and orbital cavities, and a broken jaw.

“There’s two cuts and it’s very traumatic to his brain right now and for him to get fully recovered. We really don’t know right now,” Feralles said.

Feralles said Benavidez dreams of becoming a firefighter. She said Benavidez would never hurt anyone and only wanted to help.

Detectives said a separate fight broke out about an hour after the party on Vista de Oro ended. A video of the second fight was also turned over to detectives, who said Joyce is seen at that incident as well. The second fight allegedly happened at the Casa Bandera apartments on University and El Paseo Road about 2 a.m. Sunday.

Detectives are looking for more information about driver of the red Jeep and are hope to identify the victim who was injured in the fight at Casa Bandera.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Doa Ana County Sheriff’s Department at (575) 525-8810 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips can also be sent via text message to CRIMES (274637) using the keyword LCTIPS.

“If there was over 400 people there someone knows something,” Feralles said.

Benavidez’s family said they want justice and they pray he pulls through.