EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 19-year-old man is facing a murder charge after reports showed that his clothing had traces of the victim’s DNA after a fatal shooting at Red Sands over Thanksgiving weekend last year, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.
Court documents say Angel Gallardo, 19, was arrested this past Saturday, April 6 after he shot and killed Mauricio Elias, 19, on Friday night, Nov. 24, at Red Sands.
Court documents say Gallardo shot Elias multiple times with a handgun at close range causing back spatter and leaving Elias’ DNA on Gallardo’s clothing.
Court documents say a witness met with a detective from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPCSO) back in December and said he was with Elias on the night of the shooting.
The witness, Elias and another friend were hanging out near a bonfire at Red Sands when a group of men accompanied by four teens joined them, according to court documents.
The witness told the detective that the group of teenagers asked Elias if they knew a certain person on Instagram. While asking the question, Gallardo chambered a gun, according to court documents.
The witness also told the detective that at the same time Gallardo chambered a gun, he saw a teenager holding a rifle and felt something “was going to happen,” according to court documents.
The witness said he walked away to tell his other friends that something was going to happen which is when he heard shots fired.
The witness said he saw Elias on the ground and the group ran away. He also described what Gallardo was wearing at the time of the shooting.
Another witness told detectives that while talking to Gallardo hours before the incident, Gallardo showed a handgun and said: “In case we have any problems with anybody.”
After the shooting, Gallardo tried to drive off but eventually fled the area on foot, according to court documents.
Elias was transported to a local hospital where he later died as a result of his injuries.
Court documents say witnesses who were waiting at the hospital emergency waiting room saw Gallardo walk in because he had a gunshot on his groin.
Witnesses told detectives they recognized Gallardo and said he was at Red Sands and was near Elias before he was shot.
Detectives then met with Gallardo who agreed to being at Red Sands that night, but did not provide details as to how he was shot and said someone was trying to rob him.
A projectile from Gallardo’s surgery was turned over to detectives, along with the clothing he was wearing that night and was submitted into evidence.
In December, deputies were trying to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle, and one of the passengers was Gallardo.
Court documents say the vehicle tried to evade for a short time and two handguns were thrown out of the vehicle.
Gallardo was then arrested on an unrelated warrant for evading arrest and was taken to the EPCSO headquarters where he was asked questions regarding to the fatal shooting at Red Sands.
Court documents say Gallardo agreed to being at Red Sands that night, but could not remember anything else or how he was shot.
On Friday, April 5, a report from the Texas DPS Laboratory stated that Gallardo’s clothing had traces of Elias’ DNA on them.
Gallardo was arrested the following day and was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a bond of $1 million.
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