SILVER CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
1011 North Hudson Street/P.O. Box 997 Silver City, New Mexico 88062
(575) 538-3723 Fax: (575) 538-3726
Date: 10/27/11
Contact: Ed Reynolds, Chief of Police
Synopsis: Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon,
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Negligent use of a Deadly Weapon
Location: 1600 block of North Gold Street
Silver City, New Mexico
Victim: Male Juvenile Age 17
Silver City, New Mexico
Suspect # 1: Eric Vega Sr. Age 36
Silver City, New Mexico
Suspect # 2: Angelo Baldonado Age 32
Silver City, New Mexico
Suspect # 3: Juvenile Male Age 14
Silver City, New Mexico
Suspect # 4: Juvenile Male Age: 17
Silver City, New Mexico
Suspect # 5: Juvenile Male Age: 14
Silver City, New Mexico
Narrative:
On Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 2:57 PM officers of the Silver City Police Department responded to the 1600 block of North Gold St. in reference to a large fight with weapons.
While responding to fight call, Central Dispatch advised the responding officers that shots had been fired.
When officers arrived they observed a male juvenile (victim) laying on the ground and bleeding heavily from his head. The victim stated that two male juveniles approached him and started harassing him. The victim also advised that two vehicles, a silver car and a blue truck pulled up to the location and Eric Vega Sr. (suspect # 1) Angelo Baldonado (suspect #2) as well as suspects 3, 4 and 5 exited the vehicles. Victim advised the officers that Mr. Baldonado (suspect # 2) pulled a black handgun, and was holding it in front of his (Baldonado) body, pointing it towards the ground. The victim stated he told Mr. Baldonado to put the handgun down and fight like a man and Mr. Baldonado responded “I'll be a real man when I shoot you." While arguing with the suspects, victim turned his back to them because he was not going to fight them. As he turned away, the victim was struck in the back of the head with rocks by suspects # 3, 4, and 5. While lying on the ground as a result of being struck by the rocks, the suspects began punching him and kicking him. Eric Vega Sr. (suspect #1) began kicking the victim in the face and head area causing injuries to victim's face. According to witnesses Mr. Baldonado yelled “I'm from L. A. and I have been shot before" and then fired a round into the air from the handgun. The suspects then got back into their vehicles and left the scene.
Officers responding to the complaint observed the vehicles leaving the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers were able to stop vehicles on the 700 block of 14th St. and place the suspects into investigative detention.
The District Attorney was contacted and charges against the five suspects were approved and they were arrested and transported to the police department for booking.
Mr. Eric Vega Sr. (suspect # 1) was charged with Aggravated Battery and was transported to the Grant County Detention Center and held under a $10,000 bond.
Mr. Angelo Baldonado (suspect # 2) was charged with Aggravated Assault and Negligent use of a Weapon. Due to injuries sustained in a previous incident was released on his own recognizance and was being prepared to be flown out to another hospital.
The 3 juvenile males (suspect # 3, 4, and 5) were charged with Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon. The Juvenile Probation Office authorized a hold on all 3 suspects and they were transported to Luna County.
As a result of the investigation a search warrant was executed on a residence in the 700 block of 14th St.
The Silver City Police Department is continuing the investigation into this incident and is asking anyone with information concerning this incident to please call the department at (575) 538-3723.