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Shooting hurts three at NM Wal-Mart; two arrested

Kevin Buey
Deming Headlight
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

DEMING -- Three people were injured, including a 6-year-old girl, in a shooting Tuesday at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Deming.

Two men were in custody and a third was being sought by police after the midday shooting at the store, at 1021 E. Pine St.

The girl and Wal-Mart produce manager Sergio Jimenez, in his mid-30s, were treated at Mimbres Memorial Hospital, Deming Police Chief Michael Carillo said. The girl suffered a wound to the hip; Jimenez had a chest wound.

The hospital would not comment on their conditions.

A third man, another manager at the store, was shot in the hand, but he told officials he was OK. A Wal-Mart official and a witness said that man helped catch one of the men involved in the shooting, even after being shot.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of this incident," said Wal-Mart national spokeswoman Sharon Weber. "We are grateful to those who acted with courage ... including an assistant manager at the store who acted with courage after he was wounded."

The shooting prompted the overnight closing of the store, which is normally open 24 hours a day, and a lockdown of Deming schools for about two hours as more than 30 law enforcement officers from several agencies descended on the store.

One of the suspects was caught in the store just after the shooting. A second was taken into custody by New Mexico State Police officers within an hour in a home south of Deming.

The third suspect was still being sought by police. He was described as Anglo, between 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet tall, and wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt.

Other than Jimenez, police did not release names of the victims. They also would not release names of the men involved in the shooting or detail the events that led to the shooting, but Carillo said police know the identity of the suspect still being sought. Carillo said he did not know what prompted the incident.

No charges had been filed as of early evening against the two men police were questioning.

Annie Contreras was shopping for groceries in the store at the time of the shooting.

"I heard four shots," she said. "I was ... getting ready to go through the checkout line, and they told me to get out. I got out. My cart was full. I left it there."

Carillo said store videotape was being reviewed and witnesses were being questioned to obtain a clear picture of what unfolded.

Carillo praised the response of store patrons and area law enforcement.

Las Cruces Sun-News reporter Heath Haussamen contributed to this story.