EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 29-year-old man has been arrested after a mosh pit fight led to a shooting outside a South-Central El Paso music venue, according to the arrest affidavit obtained by KTSM.
Javier Arroyo Gerardo of Las Cruces has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $150,000 bond.
Javier Arroyo Gerardo. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Police Department.
Man hospitalized with serious injuries after El Paso shooting
Shortly after 9 p.m. on Monday, May 11, officers were dispatched to 300 N. Marcial to reports of a shooting. The arrest affidavit revealed the location to be outside a music venue called “EP Underground” that was hosting an event.
When officers arrived, they found a 21-year-old man from Las Cruces, who had been “shot multiple times,” according to EPPD. He was transported to a hospital by a private vehicle and was last known to be in critical condition.
The Crimes Against Persons Unit was called to take over the investigation.
According to court documents, Arroyo Gerardo’s brother was attending the event, along with the victim. Arroyo Gerardo’s brother told officers that he was allegedly assaulted by the victim.
A witness of the incident, who was identified as the victim’s friend, told police that there was “moshing-type physical contact” at the venue, which later turned into a fight but was broken up by security.
It was noted in the affidavit that “moshing” is a style of dancing performed at rock, metal and punk concerts, where people “violently and energetically push, slam and jump into one another.”
EP Underground went to their social media to reschedule upcoming shows, except for Saturday. All proceeds gathered for Saturday night’s show will be donated to the victim’s family.
Arroyo Gerardo’s brother called him and told him that he did not feel safe at the venue. Arroyo Gerardo and his other brother drove from Las Cruces to El Paso and allegedly began to look for the people who were involved in the altercation, the affidavit read.
The victim’s friend, the victim and other people ended up leaving the venue when the victim’s friend heard, “Who are the f***ers that jumped my brother?”
The victim’s friend told officers that the person who said that, identified as Arroyo Gerardo, began swinging at the group of people on the street.
According to the affidavit, multiple witnesses saw Arroyo Gerardo point his gun at the victim and heard five to seven shots being fired.
Several witnesses told police that it was only Arroyo Gerardo who had the gun, not the victim. It was also noted in the court documents that officers recovered two pistols and a knife at the scene.
One of Arroyo Gerardo’s brothers later admitted to police that the knife was his.
Responding officers were able to make contact with Arroyo Gerardo as he was walking away from the scene, leaving his vehicle parked in the area.
Arroyo Gerardo allegedly admitted to police about shooting the victim, but claims that it was out of self-defense after the victim pulled out a gun and “pistol whipped” him, court documents read.
Police then arrested Arroyo Gerardo. According to court records, Arroyo Gerardo was released on Wednesday, May 13, after posting a $150,000 surety bond.
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