Socorro man arrested for drive-by shooting is released a day later after police say new evidence clears him
UPDATE: Socorro police said Friday that charges were dropped against shooting suspect Oscar Jimenez and he was released from jail after new evidence surfaced just a day after authorities had announced his arrest.
Here's the entire statement issued by police:
On February 14th, The Socorro Police Department received new information on the shooting that occurred on Jan 17. Based on the new information, Oscar Jimenez is no longer being considered a suspect. The Socorro Police Department has been in contact with the District Attorney's Office regarding the new information and Jimenez has since been released. The shooting remains an active investigation.
ORIGINAL REPORT: SOCORRO, Texas -- For the third time in recent weeks, authorities in Socorro have arrested a person accused of carrying out drive-by shootings.
The latest arrest, announced Thursday, is that of 20-year-old Oscar Jimenez of Socorro. He's accused of firing multiple gunshots at an unidentified person back on Jan. 17, missing the intended target but striking several vehicles instead in the 300 block of Mireles Circle.
Jimenez was being held on $100,000 bond in the El Paso County Detention Facility on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Other recent drive-by shooting arrests include:
- Ricardo Velasquez, 20, charged with deadly conduct discharge of a firearm for allegedly shooting at homes and cars in the 300 block of Flor Bonita Avenue.
- An unidentified 16-year-old charged with the murder of 15-year-old Jesus Estrada, a Socorro High School football player who was shot dead in the 11500 block of Villa Del Mar.
