El Paso Police identify man shot outside Mexican Consulate; charge alleged shooter

Police Wednesday identified the suspect accused of shooting a man outside the Mexican Consulate in South El Paso, leading to the lock down of a nearby school Tuesday afternoon.

Investigators charged Juan Rivera Avila, 19, with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon. Police identified the man allegedly shot by Rivera Avila as 31-year-old Hassiel Herrera.

Police said the investigation revealed Herrera and Rivera Avila confronted each other on the grounds of the Mexican Consulate on the 900 block of San Antonio street shortly before 4 p.m.

After he was shot, Herrera ran into the Mexican Consulate for help. Witnesses said Rivera Avila ran in the direction of Lydia Patterson Institute on the 500 block of Florence.

Police officers established a perimeter around the school, which was placed on locked down by school administrators as patrol and SWAT officers cleared the building.

A police officer on patrol on the 400 block of Stanton spotted a suspect matching the description of the shooter. Rivera Avila was detained and arrested after his identity was confirmed, police said.

The weapon used in the shooting was not on Rivera Avila’s person and was not found during a search of the area, police said.

Police booked Avila on a $10,000 bond. Additional charges are pending.

Herrera was transported to University Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his upper left torso and is expected to recover.