Over 280 firearms collected at El Paso County event
This event provided residents with a safe and anonymous opportunity to turn unwanted or unused firearms, helping to reduce the number of guns in circulation and enhance community safety, EPCSO said.
EPCSO said that 276 working firearms and eight non-operational firearms were collected.
'This event showed the power of community partnership,' Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. 'Every firearm turned in is one less risk in our homes and on our streets. I want to thank Commissioner Jackie Butler, County Attorney Christina Sanchez, SISD Police, and the dedicated administrative staff at the SAC for their critical support in making this event safe, organized, and effective.'
'With more than 270 firearms turned in, our third Gun Buy Back event successfully contributed to our efforts to reduce gun violence and protect our kids and families,' County Commissioner Jackie Butler, Precinct 1, said. 'It is through community participation like this that we make meaningful progress in ensuring the safety of every resident. I'm grateful to everyone who took part and to our partners for their support in making this event possible.'
'This weekend's gun buyback event was a clear demonstration of our community's commitment to safety,' County Attorney Christina Sanchez said. 'Each firearm turned in represents a proactive step toward preventing harm and protecting lives. We are proud to have provided residents with a safe and anonymous way to make their homes and neighborhoods safer.'
EPCSO said this initiative marks a continued commitment from El Paso County officials to provide innovative, community-based solutions to address gun violence.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Driver accused in fatal wreck said he didn't stop because he was tired, NM cops say
A 61-year-old man accused in a fatal hit-and-run wreck told authorities he thought he struck a dog and didn't 'stop after the impact because he was tired,' New Mexico police said. The man was arrested on suspicion of homicide by vehicle, knowingly leaving the scene of an accident with great bodily harm or death and other charges, the New Mexico State Police said in a July 7 post on Facebook. McClatchy News reached out to prosecutors July 9 about whether formal charges have been filed in the case and was awaiting a response. The wreck happened the evening of July 3 in Sunland Park, police said. Two people were crossing the street on foot when 'a maroon Ford Ranger traveling at a high rate of speed' hit them, according to police. One of the pedestrians, Graciela Sahs, died at the scene, and the other was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, police said. A truck matching the description of the one in the wreck was later found under a tarp at a Sunland Park home, and 'the evidence and damage observed on the vehicle were consistent with the findings at the crash scene,' police said. The 61-year-old man told authorities he was involved in the wreck and said he tried to hide the damage by covering the truck, according to police. Investigators also 'learned that (he) had told family members he had 'killed' someone near the casino,' police said. In an interview with KTSM, Sahs' parents said their 26-year-old daughter was planning to be a veterinary technician. 'It's just so heartbreaking and just knowing how it happened. She deserves to be here with us,' her father, Nikolas Nava, told the outlet. Sunland Park is about a 10-mile drive northwest from El Paso, Texas.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman killed, another hurt in hit-and-run in Sunland Park
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A crash late Thursday night, July 3 in Sunland Park that killed one pedestrian and injured another person is a hit-and-run, New Mexico State Police said. At about 10:45 p.m. Thursday, New Mexico State Police responded to a crash at Sunland Park and Appaloosa Drive involving a vehicle and at least one pedestrian. One dead, one injured in Sunland Park 'pedestrian accident' A male and female were struck by what appears to be a maroon/red Ford Truck, which fled the scene, New Mexico State Police said. The 26-year-old woman, identified as Graciela Citlali-Tonazin Sahs, died at the scene. A male, no age given, was taken to a hospital where his condition is unknown, State Police said. Sunland Park Fire said that the person who was taken to the hospital suffered serious injuries. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and their identity is unknown at this time, New Mexico State Police said. The crash remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Docs: Man hides truck under tarp after fatal hit-and-run crash in Sunland Park
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The man arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash this past Thursday, July 3, in Sunland Park, hid his truck under a tarp after fleeing the scene, according to court documents obtained by KTSM. Woman killed, another hurt in hit-and-run in Sunland Park State Police confirmed the arrest of Vicente Vasquez Jr., 61, who was taken into custody on Saturday, July 5, and court records show he was charged with vehicular homicide, immediate notice of accident, leaving the scene, failure to stop and render aid, and tampering with evidence. As we have previously reported, just before 11 p.m. that Thursday, State Police responded to a crash at Sunland Park and Appaloosa Drive involving a vehicle and two pedestrians. A male victim and a woman were struck by a driver, later identified as Vasquez, who fled the scene, State Police said. The 26-year-old woman, identified as Graciela Citlali-Tonazin Sahs, died at the scene, State Police said. The Sunland Park Fire Department said the male victim, who was taken to the hospital, suffered serious injuries. According to court documents, Sahs and the male victim had finished buying fireworks at a stand and began walking south when a maroon Ford Ranger, driven by Vasquez, struck both and fled the scene west on Sunland Park Drive. After Vasquez fled, a 'Be on the Lookout' (BOLO) alert was issued to surrounding agencies to locate the Ford Ranger, according to State Police. State Police said Sunland Park Police later located the damaged vehicle concealed under a tarp at a residence. The evidence and damage were consistent with the findings at the crash scene. On Saturday afternoon, July 5, Vasquez's niece contacted law enforcement, saying Vasquez was at her residence in Sunland Park, according to court documents. According to court documents, Vasquez's niece told officers Vasquez had told her he killed someone by the casino. She also said she received a text from Vasquez saying he killed someone or crashed in front of the casino. Officers made contact with Vasquez, who said he was traveling at approximately 17 to 19 mph when he observed something crossing the street from the firework stand. He said he pressed on his brakes, but did not have time to stop on time, forcing him to 'strike it.' After the impact, he said he rolled down his window to check what he struck, but he didn't see anything, so he continued driving, according to court documents. According to court documents, Vasquez said he went to his residence and covered up the front end of his vehicle with a tarp because he didn't want his friend to see it. Vasquez also admitted to being involved in the crash, and that he thought he had struck someone's dog and did not stop after the impact because 'he was tired and was trying to get home,' according to court documents. Vasquez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with no bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
