Fugitive Who Sparked Manhunt Near Canutillo Shot
A sheriff’s spokeswoman confirmed to ABC-7 the man who sparked a massive manhunt in northwest El Paso Thursday was shot and taken to University Medical Center. The circumstances of the shooting were unclear Thursday evening, said Public Information Officer Chris Acosta.
Authorities said 19-year-old Fernando Lavenant was in custody when he assaulted the arresting detective and fled in an unmarked unit. Officials said he was armed with weapons taken from the unmarked unit and was considered “extremely dangerous.” He was also in possession of a Sheriff?s Office radio and a bulletproof vest.
Several schools in Canutillo and Gadsden were under lockdown.
Canutillo Independent School District spokesman Gustavo Reveles said Canutillo High School, Canutillo Elementary School, the Early College high school and the district offices were on put on lockdown. In Gadsden, officials put on lockdown Anthony and Loma Linda elementary schools and Gadsden Middle School. Reveles asked parents to avoid going to the schools to pick up their children until they are notified by the district. By 3:40 p.m., students were allowed to go home.
El Paso Community College closed its Northwest Campus, which is next door to Canutillo Elementary. All classes were canceled for the rest of the day Thursday.
Davinci School for Science and the Arts was also on lockdown.
An officer with the U.S. Marshal Lone Star Fugitive Task Force was executing several warrants for Lavenant about 10 a.m. on the 400 block of Rancho Estancias Drive in Vinton. Lavenant was apprehended an placed in the unmarked unit before assaulting the detective and fleeing in the car, said sheriff’s deputies.
Authorities said the unmarked unit was recovered after being abandoned by Lavenant at the La Feria Super Market at 319 S. Main in Canutillo off of Doniphan Drive.
Lavenant is wanted for numerous felony charges out of El Paso and New Mexico. In El Paso, he has warrants for driving while intoxicated/open container, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and assault causing bodily injury. In New Mexico he is wanted on charges of kidnapping and aggravated battery.
