A Las Vegas man accused of shooting an adult inside a Donnelly home on Tuesday was taken into custody in Eagle later that night after a multi-county search, according to law enforcement. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries and remains under medical care. Authorities say the suspect left the home in a pickup that later slid off Highway 55 near the Rainbow Bridge before he continued on to Eagle. He was eventually booked into the Ada County Jail and is being held on a federal detainer while Valley County officials work on extradition.
What the release says
According to KIVI, a joint news release from the Valley County and Ada County Sheriff's Offices states that 38-year-old Jose Mendoza allegedly shot an adult at a home in the 300 block of Halferty Street in Donnelly at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday. The release notes that Mendoza and the victim knew each other and that he allegedly pointed a gun at a juvenile inside the house before taking off. Deputies arrived after Mendoza had already left the scene.
How authorities tracked him to Eagle
As reported by KTVB, investigators say Mendoza fled the Donnelly property in his truck, which later went off SH-55 near the Rainbow Bridge. From there, he reportedly got a ride from a passing driver into Ada County. Ada County dispatch then received a call about a suspicious person matching his description near North Horseshoe Bend Road and West State Street in Eagle. Eagle and Garden City officers moved in and arrested Mendoza there without incident. He was booked into the Ada County Jail on aggravated battery and aggravated assault charges, along with a felony use of a deadly weapon count.
Charges and legal process
The Valley County Sheriff's Office says the case is still under active investigation and that Mendoza is being held on a federal detainer while officials work to extradite him back to Valley County, according to KIVI. Once he is returned to Valley County, prosecutors will review the booking and decide which formal charges to file. Authorities have not released additional information about the victim’s current condition or any possible motive.
What to watch next
The fast-moving investigation pulled in officers from multiple jurisdictions, with Valley County deputies coordinating closely with Eagle and Garden City police to locate and arrest the suspect. As KTVB reports, Mendoza, 38, remains in the Ada County Jail on a federal hold while Valley County finalizes the extradition paperwork.
