El Paso Sheriff’s Deputy Assaulted Near Horizon City, TX
EL PASO, TX. – El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies arrest 35-year-old Juan Gabriel Espinoza of Horizon City, Texas after he allegedly attempts to evade police and allegedly assaults one of the deputies while fleeing.
El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies responded to I-10 East and Eastlake Blvd. in search ofa suspect driving a white GMC Sierra pickup that attempted to evade sheriff’s deputies after allegedly weaving in and out of traffic.
At 3:59 p.m. deputiesspotted the truck stuck in traffic at Gateway East and Horizon Blvd. and attempted to pullEspinoza over.He began to elude the deputies traveling north on Horizon Blvd. refusing to stop. Thesuspect nearly collided with another vehicle traveling south.
Espinoza eventually turned right onto Darrington Rd. fleeing from the deputies. The truck attempted to make a U-turn on Darrington Rd. whenit came to a stop. Thesuspect exited the vehicle armed with an unknown object and struck a deputy who was approaching the suspect.The suspect struck the deputynear his temple and right ear with what appeared to be a large metal object.
“This was a volatile situation and the Deputies used a tremendous amount of restraint in arresting this combative subject. The Deputy who was struck is very fortunate. This is an example of the old saying : ‘no such thing as a routine traffic stop!” said Assistant Chief Ralph Mitchell (Law Enforcement Bureau), El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.
Espinozawas subdued by another deputy, assisting law enforcement personnel and a civilian. Theinjured deputywas transported to Del Sol Medical Center for observation of a head injury and was released late Thursday. His name is not being released at this time.
Espinoza’sbond is set at$460,000. He remains in the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility as of 11:00 a.m. Friday. An investigation continues and ABC-7 willcontinue to follow up reports that this individual was reported for road rage/reckless driving earlier this week in the City of El Paso.
