GRANTS, N.M. – The City of Grants mostly celebrated a happy and safe Halloween, with one incident in the city during the very early morning of Oct. 31. During the incident, at least one woman was shot in the pelvis and Grants Police Department arrested Alejandro Balderrama, a man arrested four weeks ago in connection with a homicide investigation, in connection with the shooting.
The Oct. 31 incident occurred in the early morning; the incident is currently under investigation by Grants Police Department. Allegedly, according to GPD, a woman was shot in the pelvis and flown to a hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. GPD worked to locate Balderrama’s car, the agency teamed up with Milan Police Department who found the car.
Balderrama was located and arrested, according to GPD a witness could place Balderrama at the scene, and could identify the firearm allegedly used.
Balderrama has been charged, as of press time, with Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon); Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by Certain Persons (Felon).
Sordid history
Balderrama has a long rap sheet of crime in Cibola County.
On August 11 Balderrama was seen by Magistrate Judge Johnny Valdez for Aggravated Fleeing and resisting, Evading, or Obstructing an Officer. His preliminary appearance was scheduled for September 14, but was rescheduled. The charges were dismissed on September 27 by the judge without prejudice, meaning that the charges can be brought up again but as of press time, were not.
On September 10 Balderrama was seen again in Judge Valdez’ courtroom, this time for charges of First Degree Murder (Willful & Deliberate); Tampering With Evidence (Highest Crime a Capital, First, or Second Degree Murder; Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by Certain Persons (Felon); Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by Certain Persons (Felon). He was given a $100,000 Secured Bond on October 5. On October 26 Judge Valdez dismissed the charges without prejudice, these charges have not yet been taken up in District Court.
On November 1 a criminal complaint in the Halloween shooting was opened. A preliminary examination is expected on October 16 in Judge Larry Diaz’ courtroom at the Cibola County Magistrate Court.
Also on November 1, a Criminal Complaint was filed in the 13th Judicial District Court in Grants, N.M. for Aggravated Battery (Deadly Weapon); Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by Certain Persons (Felon) in the courtroom of District Court Judge Amanda Sanchez Villalobos.
Cases that are dismissed without prejudice can be picked up again by other courts and judges.