Tools

Details on the weekend shooting in El Cenizo

By Ray Gomez

Story Created: Dec 1, 2009

Story Updated: Dec 1, 2009

More details on a shooting that took place last night in El Cenizo.

The suspected shooter and his victim remain in a San Antonio hospital.

With the city of El Cenizo without a fire department or emergency crews an incident like this really concern the city's mayor.

Right after seven o'clock Sunday night Webb County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a shooting in the 600 block of Morales Street in El Cenizo.

"Where they found the victim, at this time, was shot in the right lower leg."

Officers were later able to catch up with the suspected shooter identified as 31-year-old Julian Duarte, that's when they realized there had been an exchange of gunfire.

"The victim also shot the suspected shooter and he shot him in the abdomen."

According to investigators the two had been feuding for awhile and their argument Sunday night ended with shots fired at this residence.

Because the city of El Cenizo does not have a working fire department or emergency responders, Sheriff’s deputies took the two men to the speedway on Highway 83 to meet an ambulance and the city's mayor says they're working to change that.

"It’s very concerning to have to operate a city with many needs on a very limited budget."

"We’re currently in negotiations with a private company out of McAllen for EMS services."

Mayor Reyes says shootings are not common there but bring for concern.

"We have more drug busts and more illegal alien trafficking than we do shootings."

That might be so, but investigators won't be overlooking this case as they wait for the suspected shooter to be released from the hospital ready to arrest him.

At this time the investigation is still pending.

According to the sheriff's department 3 weapons were recovered at the scene.

The suspected shooter, Julian Duarte, has yet to be arrested because he is still in the hospital but has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.