EPCSO: Second person arrested in connection with deputy’s death

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a second person in connection with the death of Deputy Peter Herrera, Sheriff Richard Wiles said Saturday.

On Saturday, Sheriff Richard Wiles announced the arrest of 20-year-old Arlene Piña, who they say was a passenger in the vehicle of the suspect.

The department originally charged 27-year-old Facundo Chavez in connection with the capital murder of Herrera in March. Authorities say Herrera was conducting a traffic stop in San Elizario.

Piña was arrested the morning of the shooting, but released without evidence. Wiles said Piña was the passenger in Chavez’s car and got out after the initial shots were fired, going up to Chavez and Herrera and said “get that [expletive],” referring to the slain deputy.

Wiles said investigators cleaned up recordings of the shooting to discover evidence he said connects Piña to the shooting. Wiles said Piña was arrested at a San Elizario home and is in probation.