New Mexico
New Mexico man sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2021 fatal El Paso bar shooting
Hit-and-run driver kills El Paso man next to EPCC Valle Verde
El Paso police search for hit-and-driver who killed Jesus Fernando Perez, 52, on North Loop Drive next to EPCC Valle Verde on March 21, 2025.
Provided by Crime Stoppers of El Paso
A New Mexico man was sentenced to prison in the 2021 fatal shooting outside a South-Central El Paso bar.
Judge Sam Medrano of the 409th District Court sentenced Daniel Torres, 42, of La Union, New Mexico, on March 27 to 25 years in prison for the fatal Oct. 15, 2021, shooting of 28-year-old Alfredo Morales, El Paso District Attorney’s Office officials said in a news release.
Torres was sentenced to 25 years in prison on one count each of manslaughter and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The sentences will be served concurrently, court records show. The sentencing took place at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso.
Torres pleaded guilty to the charges the same day as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors. As part of the plea agreement, Torres waived his appellate rights, according to the news release.
Torres had previously been convicted twice of felony theft. He was sentenced to four years in prison each time on those charges, according to the news release.
Torres kills Morales during shoot-out outside South-Central El Paso bar
The shooting happened about 12:20 a.m. Oct. 15, 2021, outside Cazadores Cantina at the corner of Durazno Avenue and Copia Street in South-Central El Paso.
Jorge J. Garcia Reyes, 36, and another person were leaving the bar when Garcia and Morales got into an argument, El Paso Police Department officials said.
Morales allegedly took out a gun and shot Garcia once in the chest. Torres pulled out a gun and shot Morales several times, killing him before fleeing the scene, police said.
Garcia was taken to University Medical Center of El Paso for treatment. The severity of Garcia’s injuries was never disclosed by police.
A police investigation identified Torres as the shooter. An arrest warrant was issued for Torres.
A U.S Marshals fugitive task force arrested Torres Nov. 5, 2021, in La Union, police said.
Torres was held at the Doña Ana County Detention Center until Nov. 10, 2021, when he was extradited to El Paso. He remained jailed on a $1 million bond as his case remained pending in district court, jail logs show.
Cazadores Cantina’s liquor permit was suspended soon after the shooting by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The El Paso County Attorney’s Office temporarily shut down the bar in 2023, claiming “habitual criminal activity” was occurring at the bar. The bar was reputedly known for prostitution and as a Barrio Azteca hangout, county attorney’s office officials said in 2023.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
SANTA FE, N.M. – Santa Fe County and Edgewood approved a new agreement and ordinance that secures ongoing fire and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
According to a joint announcement from the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County on June 19, the two governments negotiated and adopted a new Joint Powers Agreement and ordinance to keep the Santa Fe County Fire Department serving the town.
County and town representatives drafted the agreement together. The town adopted the ordinance unanimously at a special meeting on June 16, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Santa Fe County District 3 Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said, “I believe we are all relieved to know that the people of Edgewood will continue to have the fire and EMS services necessary to protect their homes, their families, and their community. This community deserves nothing less.”
The announcement said the ordinance takes effect five days after final publication. The statement also said no further action or approval is needed to guarantee continued fire suppression, fire prevention, and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
Both governments noted the agreement will continue indefinitely unless either side ends it with five years’ notice.
New Mexico leaders are backing a bipartisan bill after 12 confirmed U.S. screwworm cases, including one case in a Lea County dog.
SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico leaders are backing a bipartisan bill after 12 confirmed U.S. screwworm cases, including one case in a Lea County dog.
New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Holeck said the parasite has spread to New Mexico, though officials say they have not found any human cases.
“This is also not a political issue this is a nationwide issue that we all need to address because it affects all warm blooded animals including humans,” Holeck said.
U.S. Reps. Gabe Vasquez and Teresa Leger Fernandez support the Protect America’s Herds Act.
The bill would create a grant program to train people to identify, treat, prevent and report screwworm. It would also support more livestock inspections and education for ranchers.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez said she heard concerns from tribal leaders about the cost of protecting cattle herds.
“I spoke with one of our tribal leaders today and they have cattle operation and they’re worried, and they’re talking about how much more money they’re having to pay to go make sure they check on their herds and there are extra costs,” Leger Fernandez said.
Funding would prioritize states and tribal communities most at risk for screwworm outbreaks.
State health officials said screwworm is not a food safety issue. They also said ranchers should stay alert but not alarmed.
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