More than 10,000 vehicles travel through the Sierra Blanca checkpoint on a daily basis. Mounts family feels every year that goes by is another year that someone got away with murder. McDonald was charged with Burglary. Sierra Blanca abandoned truck stop was the second scariest place weve stayed. Related Links: Big fan of the pod, give me a warning next time, I want that time back! El Paso police arrested McDonald for the murder. Im asking the authorities, Mexican and American, to work together and put these men in jail, said Napoleon Seplveda, Jess father, in an interview with El Paso Matters. Our Town: Gloria Barrios Fans of true crime podcasts weren't impressed that the creators of The Heads of Sierra Blanca weren't forthcoming with the lack of truth behind their story. The facility still holds inmates for the U.S. Authorities believe that these murders were the collateral damage of a cartel turf war that spilled into Mexico. Grissom Airman found dead in Texas All inquiries are being referred to the Texas Rangers and FBI," the statement read. "I like the true crime podcasts that are attempting to help people find answers; this podcast is not that," one listener wrote in the Pod Paradise reviews, noting that the podcast should not be classified under the true crime genre. The post claiming it was real. Listeners pointed out small clues that gave it away, like the nieces not sounding convincing and the fact that one of the police characters is voiced by Machete's Danny Trejo. For local and breaking news, sports, weather alerts, video and more, download the FREE KTSM 9 News App from theApple App Storeor theGoogle Play Store. Details It is also at the junction of the Southern Pacific and Missouri Pacific railroads. The detainees, mostly men from Somalia who were in the process of being deported, told the researchers that they had been mistreated by staff members, including the warden. Please dont tell Mom. So he knew what he was shooting at. Im glad we found her, but if this county would have done its job, somebody wouldnt have had to die, recalled Knapp. This is not the first time Mike Sheppard has been accused of endangering the lives of migrants. Border Patrol Apprehends Interpol Murder Suspect. The Murder of Military Women Continues After Mr. Seplvedas death, some of his relatives, including his mother, Luz Mara Martnez Castro, left, his partner, Sandra Lizeth Crdenas Ramrez, and his 6-month-old daughter, Sofa, have been holding a vigil in Ciudad Jurez, Mexico. Then transferred to AF Reserves. Mike Thomas Sheppard, who until this week was warden of the privately run West Texas Detention Center in Sierra Blanca, and brother Mark Sheppard were arrested late Wednesday by Texas Rangers on manslaughter charges. She was a 24-year-old single waitress who lived alone. Was the DNA collected at the scene compared to the national DNA database (CODIS)? Vivek Ramaswamy calls out the brainwashing, indoctrination, and dangers of children gender transitioning, Reporters Notebook: Republicans take a hammer to Dems climate law. He did not address Sheppards alleged use of the company truck. The water reservoir where two migrants were shot, one fatally, near Sierra Blanca, Texas, last month. Weve had a lot of serious problems with the illegals coming across getting lost and dying in the desert, said Thomas Neely, 95, the Hudspeth County judge. Texas Over a week, the men faced beatings, racial taunts and sexual abuse at the hands of the centers officials who were under the leadership of Mike Sheppard at the time. Im sure the thought back then was, theres probable cause for burglary. He said he went to Knapps home and stole several things before fleeing the state, buying a shovel along the way and ultimately burying Mount in Sierra Blanca. Perhaps it goes without saying but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Its been over a decade since the man who was last seen with Mary Mount led investigators to the shallow grave where he had left her body near Sierra Blanca, Texas. Big Bend Sector Chief Patrol Agent Matthew J. Hudak said, This arrest highlights our law enforcement collaboration, including partnerships well beyond our borders. The migrants, who had stopped for a drink of water at a reservoir, told investigators that one of the men yelled obscenities at them and revved the trucks engine before opening fire, according to an arrest affidavit. The U.S. Border Patrol is made up of over 19,000 brave men and women who courageously secure our nations borders. As of Tuesday, both men were again in custody, this time closer to home at the Hudspeth County jail. One of the reasons we filed the report is that it wasnt just one person complaining. A male migrant was fatally shot, a Texas DPS spokesperson said. Michael Sheppard Arrested After Allegedly Shooting Immigrants The Intercept reported the allegations more than four years ago. CreditIvan Pierre Aguirre for The New York Times. Her aunt, Silvia Carrillo, shared an audio recording of a conversation she said she had with Ms. Casias shortly after she was shot. The desolate area near the Mexico border is the last place Dottie Knapp thought her daughter would end up. The guy died. I hope and pray justice will prevail. Gloriahad questions about the bruises, defensive wounds, and the fluid found near Blancas groin but never received any answers. This whole thing is disgusting, and so dismissive of actual victims and their families.". They drove away and attended a water board meeting. It's time for President Biden to do his job and stop this humanitarian crisis by securing our southern border. Authorities later arrested Erick Garibaldi, 26, of Fort Hancock in connection with the shooting. WebCrime in Sierra Blanca, Texas. And then revved the engine. 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Will Republicans really pick the one candidate Biden can beat? The FBI El Paso field office said in a statement the shooting happened in the evening of Sept. 27 in Sierra Blanca, Texas. WebMigrant survivors of West Texas shooting detained by ICE were drinking water from a reservoir on county land in Sierra Blanca, south of El Paso in the hot, dry Chihuahuan Desert, when two men identified in court documents as the Sheppard brothers pulled over in a truck. Copyright 2023 Distractify. He and his brother, Mark Sheppard, were arrested, jail records show. WebEl Paso, Texas 63.1 miles from Sierra Blanca, TX Magic Landing Amusement Park stood abandoned since 1989, and was demolished in 2012. HUDSPETH COUNTY, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) A migrant was killed and another was injured during a shooting in Sierra Blanca on Tuesday, according to the FBI While awaiting trial, Lee County detectives came to Texas to question him once again about Mount. The first two episodes are out now!https://t.co/AQ9kCzFYbs pic.twitter.com/h266noC4iY. Immigrants told federal investigators that one man yelled out in Spanish for the group to come out, adding profanities to his demand. The Texas Boondocking Murders Effect - live. work. dream. The wounded individual, identified by DPS only as a female, was taken to Del Sol Hospital in El Paso, where she was recovering. Did you get him? Mark Sheppard recalled asking his brother, in his statements to investigators, before changing the word him to it, according to the affidavit. This was murder and attempted murder of people trying to get clean water just because of the color of their skin. DeSantis and other officials, Latest statewide poll shows majority of Texans think state is headed in the wrong direction. He denied yelling anything. They were then rearrested the following day, Deputy Salgado said, after the Texas Rangers issued a warrant on new charges related to the shooting: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Additionally, Bahs records checks revealed that he had an active Interpol warrant for murder out of France. No suspects were ever identified. BROKEN BORDER: BIDEN IMMIGRATION POLICIES SPUR 'STAGGERING' DEATH TOLL. County officials said the I.C.E. Addington said Sheppard was known to get mad at people for speaking Spanish around him, and that hed recently seen that happen at the food bank. This is pissing me off, he said. Two 60-year-old brothers were arrested Thursday in connection with the shooting in Sierra Blanca Tuesday night, which is being investigated by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Later, the murder was blamed on cartels and turf wars, but Magdalena wasn't buying that coverup story. Two brothers were arrested in connection to the shooting that occurred Tuesday on FM 1111 in Hudspeth County, approximately four miles south of Sierra They also follow years of complaints by immigrants against Michael Sheppard, who was the warden at the West Texas Detention Center in Sierra Blanca, Texas. People have died in our state just based on the color of their skin in El Paso three years ago, and now in our neighboring Hudspeth County. The migrants (kcbd.com) Word of the shooting spread rapidly through Sierra Blanca, a pit stop for truck traffic along Interstate 10. All rights reserved. Family says suspect has gotten away with murder for 14 years The FBI El Paso field office said in a statement the shooting happened in the evening of Sept. 27 in Sierra Blanca, Texas. A K-9 unit sits outside the Hudspeth County Sheriffs Office in 2010. The sprawling surrounding county, home to some 3,200 Sutterfield did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Thursday about those previous allegations or Mike Sheppards continued employment after they were made. Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Lt. Gov. Their families were in Ciudad Jurez, across the border from El Paso, this week, demanding justice for the shooting. At 28 years old, her mother said she still only stood about four-foot-eight-inches tall. Mike Sheppard was identified by the News-Express as the warden of the West Texas Detention Center, which is operated by LaSalle Corrections, a private company that is contracted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to run immigration jails nationwide. The Lee County Sheriffs Office is holding a press conference regarding an arrest after a deadly Sunday morning shooting in Lehigh Acres. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent. Border Patrol Apprehends Interpol Murder Suspect. "On Sept. 27, at approximately 9:17 p.m., U.S. Border Patrol Agents from the Sierra Blanca checkpoint received a call for assistance from Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office to help them locate a female gunshot victim after they received a 911 call. The station is responsible for 73 border miles between the U.S. and Mexico. Dan Patrick (R-TX). The group hid when a truck approached. The Texas Democratic Party and the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus on Thursday issued rebukes of the incident, and called for immigration reform instead of rhetoric that encourages violence against migrants. According to a DPS spokesperson, a DPS trooper encountered three males in the center median of Interstate 10. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS More than 10,000 vehicles travel through the Sierra Blanca checkpoint on a daily basis. Although the warrant detailed Mary as a missing person who had not been seen or heard from by family and friends, none of this information was permitted into evidence at trial. Mark Sheppard said that they had stopped the truck because they believed they had spotted a javelina, according to the Times. "The division and fear that Greg Abbott and his fellow bigots have created has made Texas a more dangerous place for all Hispanics. A stormy morning gives way to a sunny afternoon. UVALDE ROCKED BY HORRIFIC FATAL CRASH INVOLVING IMMIGRANT SMUGGLER. Murder 6.1 Rape 40.7 Robbery 135.5 Property Crimes Calculated annually per 100,000 residents National Burglary 500.1 Theft 2,042.8 Motor Vehicle Theft 284 Residents Diversity B Based on ethnic and economic diversity. The family believes that AFOSI did not investigate the crime with due diligence and was trying to lead them to believe Blanca committed suicide. U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Landon Hutchens released a statement Friday about the shooting. Tornado touchdown confirmed in Charlotte County, 16-year-old suspect arrested in Florida after killings of 3 teens, Family of 12-year-old hit and killed by car hope his death sparks change, Family mourning 12-year-old killed after being hit by car in Lee County, 17-year-old suspect arrested after Lehigh Acres shooting, Law stopping hate acts signed by DeSantis, Uber and Lyft drivers demanding change to make ends meet, Former employee accused of breaking into and stealing money from Naples store, Fort Myers Beach recovery efforts seven months after Hurricane Ian. Hudspeth County, which sprawls over an area nearly the size of Connecticut, has faced a larger number of migrants trying to cross through the dangerous desert terrain, as the number of people seeking refuge in the United States has climbed sharply over the past few years. The county sheriffs office refused to comment on whether Sheppard is still employed at the jail. I said Mary, I dont know this man. In Sierra Blanca you have a 1 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said last week that the woman who was injured was in stable condition and recovering at an El Paso hospital, but the agency has not commented further. Help us secure our homeland, find out more at. Sheriff West was there, too. Her younger brother, Steve, described her as being in a very vulnerable state when she met McDonald in a chatroom for a fantasy adventure game. Here's what we know. After Glorias visit to Sheppard AFB, theAir Force released a statement that said deaths are investigated as homicides initially, but that nothing suggests that anyone on base is in danger. This statement is troublesomebecause the murder occurred within the confines of a secure military base. Jeanette Harper, an FBI special agent in El Paso, confirmed the agency had provided resources to Texas Rangers for an evidence recovery scene but deferred further comment to DPS as it was the leading investigative authority. On Friday afternoon, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) called the incident a "hate crime against brown-skinned immigrants that was inspired by the invasion rhetoric" from Gov. Neely said he had not received any new details about the investigation beyond what has been already reported in the news. Texas warden, brother accused of shooting 2 migrants - New York "There was no way for the killers to know who their victims were or what their legal status was," Castro said in a statement. Lunas family insists that she would never commit suicide and that the evidence does not support that suggestion. Inmates at the time resorted to using plastic bags for toilets and had to kill a rattlesnake found in their sleeping quarters when officials failed to respond. The brothers, who were charged with manslaughter, were in a truck when they pulled over and shot at a group of migrants, according to DPS. Hundreds have drowned in the Rio Grande or perished from extreme heat in failed smuggling attempts. Knapp said a homicide detective was assigned to the case after Mount failed to show for a divorce proceeding with her estranged husband. Abbott launched a domestic terrorism taskforce in response to that shooting. WebThe first victim was Lorena Sallas. Ms. Casias, 31, was shot in the stomach and, though seriously wounded, was expected to survive. Did Bernie Sanders Support Dumping Nuclear Waste One cannot get onto the base without military identification. The people shot were part of a group of Six months later they would be accused of leading the family to believe it was a suicide despite evidencesuggesting otherwise. WINK News reached out to McDonald and his attorney for comment but did not hear back. Big Bend Sector Border Patrol agents, patrol 517 miles of the southwest border, an area that extends from Sierra Blanca, Texas to Sanderson, Texas. Sign up for The Brief, our daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. contract had been ended because of the water issues, which stemmed from a problem obtaining adequate supply from a nearby town. She was discovered with a knife in the back of her neck according to the death certificate and no pants or underwear and dried fluid near her groin according to the autopsy. The Sierra Blanca Station area of responsibility consists of more than half of Hudspeth County or about 2,500 square miles. Cold Case: Air Force Reservist SrA Blanca Luna Discovered Stabbed LockA locked padlock Its like theyre playing with my mind, giving me bad information. -Gloria Barrios (Blancas mom). The Sept. 27 killing drew broad condemnation, raising questions about the rule of law in the cactus-studded high plains of West Texas and the real-world impacts of a bitter political divide over how to handle a record number of unauthorized crossings at the southern border. The detention center is in Sierra Blanca, Texas, about four miles north of where the DPS spokesperson said the shooting occurred. Blancas mom feels that this is a cover-up. Court documents filed Thursday state that the shooting took place 4 miles south of the Sierra Blanca exit on Interstate 10, which connects El Paso to San Antonio. SIERRA BLANCA, Texas U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Station arrested a citizen of France illegally in the United States and wanted for murder by Interpol, Aug. 6. Death on the Border: Were Twin Brothers Hunting Migrants or Wildlife? Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Mike Sheppard was accused of punching a man in the face and kicking him while he was handcuffed on the ground in solitary confinement, according to The Intercept. It was not clear why Mike Sheppard and his brother were accused of manslaughter as opposed to another potential criminal charge this week. On the evening of the killing, both Michael and Mark Sheppard attended a meeting of the local water board. They said they did not go to see if they had in fact hit a target. Garca grew up near the region where these two shootings occurred this week. AFOSI has been the lead investigative agency since Airman Lunas death. Report: Jail warden, twin brother allegedly shoot and kill migrant I have a Mexican-Native American background, but Mike was never ugly to me, said Paula Barrios, 39, who lived near the two brothers. My son did not deserve to die this way, Napolen Seplveda Moreno said in an interview last week. The company spokesman, Scott Sutterfield, said the detention center currently did not have I.C.E. On March 7, 2008, SrA Blanca A. Luna, 27, US Air Force Reserve, was found unresponsive and with injuries consistent with a stab wound in her billeting room at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas three days prior to graduating and heading back home. The warrant for his arrest said a neighbor had seen McDonald entering Knapps home, removing items with another female who was most definitely not Mount. According to its description, it investigates a 2007 serial killer who murdered three people in Sierra Blanca, Tex., "then vanished never to be heard of again. Mount was going through a divorce with her husband and moved home with Knapp in the last months of her life. According to one detainee, the Warden Sheppard threatened him and said "Boy, I'm going to show you. A woman was shot in the stomach. Austin Music Experience | All Austin musicians and artists | KUTX HD2, Texas Music Experience | Listen anytime at tmx.fm | KUTX HD3, Texas Public Radio | The people shot were part of a group of migrants, according to the FBI. Mike loves to hunt, the Hudspeth County sheriff, Arvin West, said in an interview at his office, where he displayed an autographed portrait of former president Donald J. Trump. Domingo Garca, president of LULAC, the largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization says the shootings are the result of anti-immigrant rhetoric displayed by conservative politicians including Texas Gov. The Debrief with Tim Carney: Who will take the blame for all the COVID lockdowns? In his interviews with investigators, Mark Sheppard said he and his brother had been out looking to shoot animals and thought they had spotted some javelinas, similar to wild hogs. They always have problems with the water at the facility.. During the recent debate in the race for governor, the Democratic candidate, Beto ORourke, said the killing could be traced to Gov. USBP agents responded and will continue aiding the investigating agencies as needed. 2 men charged with manslaughter after allegedly shooting 2 Dead airmans family unhappy about lack of progress in case The migrants were standing near a water tank along a farm when Updated: 10 PM Central. According to the affidavits filed, a group of migrants were "traversing the desert" in a remote area near Sierra Blanca and stopped to drink water out of a water tank in a reservoir. ", 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. When they looked to see if the vehicle had driven away, they heard the two gunshots. Abbotts lead over Beto ORourke is widening. It was a murder, and it was a hate crime.. Officials continue to be tight-lipped about the details of the case, citing an ongoing investigation. The vehicle backed up and the driver got out, leaned on the hood and fired two shots from a firearm at the group before leaving the scene. I said were not talking about you man, and we can talk Spanish all we damn well want., Neely said he had never heard or had any indication that they were terribly racist type people or anything like that.. This has been the deadliest year ever for migrants trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. The vehicle allegedly was assigned to Mike Sheppard and registered to his employer. Neither of the men went to check if they had struck anything and denied having yelled after exiting the truck. by Alejandro Serrano, Uriel J. Garca and William Melhado Suspicious death: Student airman with stab wound dies in hospital Do you think The Heads of Sierra Blanca should have been more forthcoming and transparent? The U.S. Border Patrol is made up of over 19,000 brave men and women who courageously secure our nations borders. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/12/us/migrants-shot-texas.html, Ivan Pierre Aguirre for The New York Times. Texas Air Force Reservist Found Stabbed to Death in Hotel but later changed "him" to "it". The podcast, which came out in September of 2019 is described as "an immersive experience that combines fiction, true crime and real interviews" but it seems like the fiction portion takes the cake. A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, which includes the Texas Rangers, said the brothers were in a truck on FM 1111, about 4 miles south of Sierra Blanca, when they pulled over and the pair got out and allegedly fired at least two shots at four migrants. Knapp said she misses her daughters company, especially around the holidays, which is when Mount went missing in 2004. Another added, "The fact that they tried to claim it was true, the website they built has a tip line of sorts at the bottom. The 'Over My Dead Body' Podcast Is Here to Sate Your 'Dirty John' Withdrawals, 10 True Crime Audiobooks That'll Make You Cancel Your Weekend Plans, Caroline Calloway Tells Her Own Story or, Tries To. Greg Abbotts hateful rhetoric on immigration. Weve gone from you see a few a week to hundreds crossing property it is like nothing anyone has ever seen, she said. The brothers reportedly told law enforcement they were looking for animals to shoot. The driver leaned on the trucks hood and shot twice at the group and then got back into the truck and drove away. A new bill would change that, LULAC raises reward amount for info on woman who allegedly lured migrants away from Texas, Hispanic students were once segregated at this school. It's unclear if the two incidents are related. But then, he told Texas detectives he could take them to Mounts body. A spokesman for I.C.E. Some of the migrants have said they were lured on to the flights with promises of jobs, housing and other benefits. Crime in Sierra Blanca, Texas - Best Places My son did not deserve to die this way, he said. I saw that in the aftermath in El Paso," Garca said, referencing the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, where shooter targeting Latinos shot and killed 23 people. And I think Im next., Her aunt replied: Where are you? I know that. Knapp said that was the last time she saw her daughter. (The US average is 22.7) Sierra Blanca Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. San Antonio first responders received the two calls within moments of each other Friday evening. Word of the shooting spread rapidly through Sierra Blanca, a pit stop for truck traffic along Interstate 10. The vehicle linked to the shooting belonged to LaSalle Corrections, according to the Express-News. All so gross. Who turned off the cameras? My condolences to the family. SIERRA BLANCA, Texas U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Station The Latino advocacy groups also announced it will ask the U.S. Department of Justice to look into the flights that immigrants rights groups claimed were nothing more than political stunts. Distractify is a registered trademark. The Sheppards, both 60, were arrested and booked into the El Paso County Jail after 6 a.m. Thursday, according to online records. A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) said the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Office notified them of a shooting death on Tuesday and reported that a preliminary investigation shows that a truck with two men inside pulled over and shot at a group of migrants standing alongside the road getting water. 5th Anniversary of Unsolved Murder on Sheppard Air Force Base The detention center is in Sierra Blanca, Texas, about four miles north of where the DPS spokesperson said the shooting occurred. Blanca Lunas mother went to Texas but learned nothing about her daughters death on an air force base The two suspects were taken into custody and each charged with manslaughter on Thursday, the spokesperson added.