Police arrest 9 in shooting death, alleged coverup

Las Cruces police arrested four women and five men for their allegedly involvement in the April 23 shooting death of 17-year-old Jovon Solomon and the attempted coverup of the shooting after Solomon’s death.

Investigators arrested the victim’s 22-year-old aunt, Shania “Nia” Romero; her husband, 29-year-old Quinton Light; 19-year-old Ismael Dunlap; brothers Ruben Sandoval, 18, and Angel Sandoval, 21; Nikki Sandoval, 40, mother of Ruben and Angel; Alexis Tomlinson, 20, Sandoval’s girlfriend; Rosemarie “Rose” Pantoja, 37; and 22-year-old John Moreno.

Police said a nearly a two-month investigation led investigators to believe the shooting death of Solomon was done in self defense after Solomon fired at least nine rounds toward Moreno and the vehicle Moreno was riding in. Moreno responded by firing a single round, striking Solomon in the neck. Solomon died later that evening at an El Paso hospital.

Investigators learned that sometime on April 23, Dunlap met with Moreno to purchase marijuana. Investigators believe Moreno stole $160 from Dunlap without exchanging narcotics.

Investigators learned that later that day Dunlap, Romero, Light and Solomon planned a meeting with Moreno to get the $160 back. The group planned to go to Moreno’s apartment, at 3500 Foothills Rd., with the intention of Romero approaching Moreno.

Shortly before 7 p.m. on April 23, 2018, Sandoval drove a black Dodge Dart with Dunlap as a front-seat passenger. Solomon was in the back seat between Light and Romero. As they approached, Moreno spotted them and got into the passenger seat of a white Acura Integra, which fled the parking lot and headed north on Athenian Way. Sandoval and the Dodge Dart chased the Acura, police said.

Investigators learned that on Athenian Way, just south of Foothills Road, Solomon – armed with a .22 caliber handgun – leaned out the rear passenger seat window and began firing rounds at Moreno and the Acura.

Moreno, armed with a .40 caliber handgun, allegedly returned fire and struck Solomon once in the neck. Sandoval drove the Dodge Dart on Telshor Boulevard where Romero, Solomon’s aunt, got out of the vehicle near Lohman Avenue and abandoned the group. Sandoval continued driving to Mountainview Regional Medical Center where he dropped off Solomon and Quinton Light. Sandoval and Dunlap then allegedly fled in the Dodge Dart.

Solomon was airlifted to University Medical Center of El Paso, where he died that evening.

Light initially told police he did not know Solomon, but merely saw him being shot and then flagged down a car for a ride to the hospital. In a later interview, Light allegedly changed his story and acknowledged he was part of the group that planned to retaliate against Moreno.

Investigators learned the Dodge Dart belonged to Alexis Tomlinson and that Solomon, Light and Angel Sandoval were armed with handguns when they went to Moreno’s apartment. Solomon and Moreno are the only two who discharged their guns, police said. Investigators ultimately located nine .22 caliber shell casings and one .40 caliber casing on Athenian Way.

Investigators also learned the Sandoval brothers, along with their mother, Dunlap and Tomlinson tried to clean the Dodge Dart after the shooting to remove evidence of the shooting. Light, Romero and Pantoja later threatened the Sandoval brothers to keep quiet and refrain from implicating Shania Romero in the incident that ultimately resulted in her nephew’s death.

Arrest dates and charges are:

Shania “Nia” Romero, arrested June 15 on two counts of bribery of a witness, attempted armed robbery, conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Quinton Light, arrested June 15 on two counts of bribery of a witness, attempted armed robbery, conspiracy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Ismael Dunlap, arrested April 26 on attempted armed robbery, conspiracy, tampering with evidence, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and violating terms of probation.

Angel Sandoval, arrested June 15 on attempted armed robbery, conspiracy, tampering with evidence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Ruben Sandoval, arrested June 15 on conspiracy, tampering with evidence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Nikki Sandoval, arrested June 15 on a charge of tampering with evidence.

Alexis Tomlinson, arrested June 15 on a charge of tampering with evidence.

Rosemarie “Rose” Pantoja, arrested June 15 on two counts of bribery of a witness.

John A. Moreno, arrested April 24 on two counts of violating terms of probation.

All suspects remain incarcerated at the Dona Ana County Detention Center where they are initially being held without bonds, police said.