Shooting leaves one injured

GRANTS, N.M. – Around 1:20 p.m. on October 28 the Cibola County Sheriff’s Office respond to a shooting in Mt. Taylor Addition on Michael Street. One man was shot in the neck and transported to Cibola General Hospital. Two men, Anthony Delmar Tapp Jr. and Rickie J Abeyta, both of Grants, were arrested in connection with the shooting.

According to Cibola County Sheriff Mace, he and other deputies arrived on scene on and discovered a man on the ground with a gunshot wound to his throat. The victim was walking with a woman when a gold in color car drove up next to them, inside the car were at least four people: Tapp, Abeyta, an unidentified woman who has not been charged, and a four-year-old child.

The vehicle drove up to the couple and the passenger side door opened, a suspect allegedly stepped out, using his 9mm firearm three times. Allegedly, the first shot successfully fired; with the second shot the firearm malfunctioned, but the third and final shot was successfully fired. CCSO determined this by discovering one spent casing, a live casing, and another spent casing.

CCSO’s trained deputies were able to quickly take control of the scene and helped stabilize the male victim until assistance could arrive. Superior Ambulance and Grants Fire and Rescue crews arrived on scene to assist; Sheriff Mace thanked the agencies for their assistance.

Witnesses described the gold car which CCSO went searching for. Quickly, the team was able to find the gold car, a Pontiac Grand AM on Elaina Street in Mount Taylor Addition. Tapp was in the driver seat and Abeyta was doing work underneath the hood of the vehicle. CCSO surrounded the two men and took them into custody without incident within 30- 40 minutes of the shooting.

CCSO deputies acquired a search warrant for the vehicle, inside they found the 9mm handgun inside the engine compartment.

“This really goes to show great collaboration within the agency,” Sheriff Mace said, “This team works well together.” Sheriff Mace attributed the quick success of this operation to training. Instead of waiting on another agency with the proper training to come and secure the crime scene, CCSO deputies already have the necessary training and could secure the scene by themselves. Sheriff Mace attributed the quick search warrant approval to the initiative of his deputies, and thanked the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s for their assistance.

“This was all taken care of quickly – It just goes to show the investment, and the importance of training,” Sheriff Mace concluded.

Tapp has been charged with Attempt to Commit a Felony, to wit: First Degree Murder (Felony Murder); Abuse of a Child (Does Not Result in Death or Great Bodily Harm).

Abeyta has been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance in Cibola County Magistrate Court. This charge is subject to change.