El Paso County was rocked by a deadly incident at a local gas station over the weekend, leading to a swift arrest by authorities. In the dark hours before sunrise on Sunday, a confrontation at the Petro Gas Station escalated into violence, resulting in the death of a young man and the apprehension of another for the alleged crime.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, around 2:10 a.m., Socorro Police responded to calls regarding a fight at the Petro Gas Station at 1295 Horizon Blvd. Witnesses on the scene informed the officers that 18-year-old Leonel Monarrez had been hit by a gray SUV and was hurriedly taken away by others before the police arrived, as stated by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office.
Monarrez's destination was the Del Sol Medical Center, but it was there that his story came to a close; he was pronounced deceased upon arrival. As news spread of his passing, law enforcement's pursuit of the truth sped up. The Major Crimes Unit of the Sheriff’s Office took the reins of the investigation, and the focus narrowed on 20-year-old Abraham Alvarado as the suspect.
With charges of Murder and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon hanging over him, Alvarado is currently incarcerated, his bond set at an imposing $650,000. The wheels of justice began to turn, and in a public affirmation, Sheriff Oscar Ugarte declared, "When we work with partnering agencies, we combine our resources and move as one to bring justice to our community," adding, "If you commit a violent crime in El Paso County, we will find you, and we will arrest you," as per El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Despite the arrest, the investigation continues to thread together the full tapestry of that tragic night.
