Sheriff’s Office identifies man who shot deputy in the head overnight
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy shot Friday morning in San Elizario as Deputy Herrera. The deputy’s first name was not included in a news release.
A sheriff’s office commander identified the alleged shooter as 27-year-old Facundo Chavez. A woman taken into custody with Chavez has been released, the commander said.
The deputy was conducting a traffic stop for a light violation in San Elizario at the intersection of Chicken Ranch Road and Socorro Road. Chavez, in the car pulled over by the deputy, exited the car and shot the deputy, the sheriff’s office said. It is unclear if Chavez was driving the car.
The deputy was shot multiple times, and was struck once in the head. Sheriff Richard Wiles said the bullet did not penetrate the deputy’s brain. The deputy is in critical condition, but Wiles said he’s expected to survive.
Backup arrived immediately after Deputy Herrera was shot and found Chavez and the woman hiding in a nearby shed. They were arrested and taken into custody without incident.
Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate the weapon that was used by the suspects, Wiles said.
The sheriff also said the shooting was recorded by the patrol unit’s dashcam and the deputy’s body camera.
“We have video cam from both the car and the officer’s body which are very revealing as to the circumstances and this shooting,” said Wiles, “Those cameras are very helpful in law enforcement in proving cases and that camera is going to be a solid piece of evidence.”
