EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Police released the identities of the two men killed at a Central El Paso park on Saturday as the investigation continues.
According to the El Paso Police Department, Joshua Michael Himes and Francisco Javier Ignacio, both 20-year-olds, were shot and killed while they were hanging out with a group of people that was drinking at Upper Tom Lea Park, located at 900 Rim Road.
Police said it was 3:39 a.m. when a fight broke out between the two victims and the shooter(s).
Investigators believe the suspect(s) then got into a vehicle and escaped.
Police are asking anyone with information regarding this double murder to call 915-832-4400 or drop a tip anonymously through Crime Stoppers of El Paso at 915-566-8477.
RELATED: 2 dead after shooting near Tom Lea Park in Central El Paso
People who regularly walk, bike and spend time near the park told KFOX14/CBS4 the shooting is difficult to understand because they consider the neighborhood typically quiet and peaceful.
“It’s a neighborhood a lot of people look forward to moving into,” said Miguel Calderon, who said he frequently visits the park. “It’s very tragic to hear that something so horrible happened.”
Camila Guerrero, a nearby resident who bikes in the area, said the shooting has her considering additional precautions, including riding with others or sharing her location.
“It’s usually a pretty peaceful neighborhood, very quiet,” Guerrero said. “There’s a lot of people working out around. It’s very common for us to see people walking around with their dogs, walking with their kids.”
Guerrero said she does not believe the shooting represents the neighborhood or El Paso, but hopes it does not become a pattern.
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