A tense Friday afternoon at the Outlet Shoppes at El Paso ended with a 41-year-old man in handcuffs after police say he threatened shoppers with a knife. Officers took the suspect into custody without incident, and authorities reported no injuries.
Police response and video
Officers with the El Paso Police Department responded to the 7000 block of South Desert Boulevard at about 1:55 p.m. Friday after calls about an armed man at the outlet center. A viewer video shows a heavy police presence surrounding the area as officers moved in. According to KFOX14, officers detained one person at the scene and confirmed there were no reported injuries.
Charges and booking
As reported by KVIA, the suspect was identified as 41-year-old Joseph Yvan Rechy and faces six counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, plus one count of terroristic threat causing fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Investigators said Rechy approached multiple individuals while brandishing a knife and making stabbing motions, and that he approached a woman who was carrying a young child. KVIA also reports he was booked into jail on a total bond of $84,000.
Where it happened
The Outlet Shoppes at El Paso is an open-air outlet center on South Desert Boulevard, with its official listing giving the address as 7051 S. Desert Blvd. According to Visit El Paso, the mall draws regional shoppers and families, making any weapon reports there particularly serious for nearby visitors.
What comes next
The investigation remains active, and authorities have not released further details about a possible motive or any court dates. As KVIA noted, Rechy was booked on a $84,000 bond and faces multiple felony counts while prosecutors review the case.
