Parts of Loop 375 in East El Paso ground to a halt Monday morning after police rushed to reports of a person with a weapon at the Purple Heart and Liberty interchange, snarling traffic at one of the city’s busiest junctions.
Officers were dispatched at about 10:43 a.m., and ramps at Liberty and Exit 31 were blocked while investigators worked the scene. Drivers trying to get through the area hit midmorning gridlock as traffic was diverted around the shutdown.
According to KFOX, the El Paso Police Department said officers responded to a call reporting a "subject with a weapon" and shut down the area around Liberty and Exit 31. The station reported that the call came in at about 10:43 a.m. and that the closure remained in place while officers investigated. KFOX updated its coverage as the situation unfolded.
Video of the scene, shared on FitFam El Paso's Instagram account, shows multiple police cars and blocked ramps near the interchange. The clip quickly bounced around local social feeds as frustrated commuters posted about getting stuck in the delays. FitFam has previously posted traffic and incident footage from Loop 375, so regular followers knew exactly what they were looking at.
Where It Happened
Loop 375, designated the Purple Heart Memorial Highway along that stretch, meets Spur 601, known as the Liberty Expressway, at Exit 31. It is a major east-side junction that serves Fort Bliss and the surrounding neighborhoods. TxDOT project pages note ongoing widening and construction activity along the Purple Heart and Liberty corridor, which can make backups even worse when ramps are closed.
What We Know And What's Missing
Beyond the shutdown and the social media video, officials have released only limited information so far. KFOX reported that the El Paso Police Department did not immediately provide details on whether anyone was detained or injured. The station described the incident as developing and noted that police typically issue a public advisory if arrests, charges, or injuries are confirmed.
Drivers should expect lingering delays around Purple Heart and Liberty through the afternoon while investigators clear the scene, and are advised to check live traffic feeds for detours and updates. We will continue to watch official El Paso Police channels and local outlets and will add more information as it becomes available.
