EPPD: Teens shot victim during drug deal arranged online

Two teenagers shot another teen during a drug deal that was set up online, El Paso Police said.

Police charged 18-year-old Matthew Alexander Perez, of the 9300 block of Viscount; and 17-year-old Jaime Aranda III, of the 9300 block of Lait, with aggravated assault.

The shooting happened December 3, 2018 at 8:00 p.m. at 9375 Viscount, police said.

Perez and Aranda III allegedly arranged a drug deal with 18-year-old Jose Luis Nieves. Police said the buyer was asked to meet the sellers at the apartment complex at 9375 Viscount.

“After presenting a bag containing a small quantity of drugs to the victim, the offenders demanded his money at gunpoint,” police said in a news release, “The victim surrendered his money but grabbed the bag of drugs and was shot as he ran away.”

Nieves was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries and arrests warrants were obtained for both Perez and Aranda III, who later turned themselves in.

Police said Perez’s bond was set at $100,000 and Aranda’s bond was set at $250,000.