Man’s death in Far East El Paso shopping center parking lot investigated
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found inside a vehicle Wednesday morning in a Far East El Paso shopping center parking lot.
Officers responded just before 9 a.m. to the 3700 block of Joe Battle Boulevard, near Montana Avenue, after a passerby reported seeing something unusual inside a vehicle.
When officers arrived, they found a deceased man inside a car. Police said the man is believed to be in his 30s, but his identity has not yet been confirmed.
The El Paso Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons Unit is leading the investigation. Detectives said they are treating the case as though foul play may be involved, but they have not determined a cause of death or confirmed whether a crime occurred.
“We’re investigating this case, and once we determine whether there is foul play involved, we’ll be able to provide more information,” a police spokesperson said during a media briefing.
Investigators spent several hours processing the scene, collecting evidence, reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses and attempting to identify potential witnesses.
Red and green crime tape were seen placed around the retail space where a Walmart, Lowes and Pet Smart are located. El Paso police spokesman, Adrian Cisneros, was asked if the car was involved, but they could not say. A black four-door sedan with the driver-side door open was seen in the area blocked off.
Police said the man had apparently been inside the vehicle for some time before he was discovered. Authorities have not released details about the vehicle or what prompted the caller to contact police, only saying the passerby noticed something unusual while driving through the area.
The investigation is centered in the parking lot of the shopping center that includes Walmart, Lowe’s and PetSmart.
Police said they do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the public.
The scene has since been cleared, but detectives continue working to determine how the man died and whether foul play was involved. Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the El Paso Police Department.
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