Sheriff’s Office releases arrest photo for man accused of shooting deputy in the head

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office identified the deputy shot Friday morning in San Elizario as Deputy Peter Herrera.

Later Friday, 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.

Online jail records show Chavez was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and criminal attempted capital murder of a peace officer. Chavez was jailed on a $1.5-million bond.

The deputy was conducting a traffic stop for a light violation in San Elizario at the intersection of Chicken Ranch Road and Socorro Road at about 1:50 a.m. Chavez, in the vehicle 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 vehicle pulled over by the deputy.

Deputy Herrera was shot multiple times, struck once in the head. He was unable to return fire and the suspects fled on foot. Sheriff Richard Wiles said the bullet did not penetrate the deputy’s brain. Although the deputy is in critical condition, 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 used by Chavez to shoot Deputy Herrera, 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. ”