|
BamaD -> El Paso police officer murdered by unarmed 17 year old (11/19/2013 12:50:01 PM)
|
Officer Molina was rendered unconscious when his head was bashed on cement surface and Gonzales continued to beat the officer.
An El Paso police officer allegedly knocked unconscious and then beaten violently by a 17-year-old died Friday morning at University Medical Center, police said.
Officer Jonathan Molina, 29, who did tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Marine Corps, died a little more than nine days after suffering a fractured skull, internal head injuries and facial fractures.
The suspect, Juan Antonio Gonzalez, who had been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer, was charged with capital murder on Friday.
Gonzalez, who was being held at the El Paso County Jail, saw his bond raised from $200,000 to $5 million.
"It is with a sad heart today that the El Paso Police Department is notifying you of the death of Officer Jonathan Molina," said Police Chief Greg Allen, who paused to control his emotions during a news conference at police headquarters. "Officer Molina will be sorely missed."
Based on three complaint affidavits, including one released Friday with the capital murder charge, here is what happened:
The incident started on Sept. 25 at 4:53 p.m. when Molina, who was off-duty, saw a young man scratch his personal vehicle with a piece of metal. The vandal was with two other man, one of whom was Gonzalez.
The silver Pontiac Grand Prix had "fresh" scratches on its right side, hood and bumper.
Molina left his home to confront Juan Antonio Gomez, who allegedly scratched the car. Police did not provide an age for Gomez, who, as of Friday afternoon, had not been charged with a crime.
Gomez, Gonzalez and the other youth, identified as Alan Medrano, 19, ignored Molina and kept walking east on the sidewalk next to Trowbridge.
Molina got into his car and followed them a way before parking in front of a home at 4120 Trowbridge.
After getting out of his car, Molina identified himself as a police officer and confronted Gomez.
Molina was "attempting to begin an investigation," the affidavit says.
Sometime during the confrontation, Molina asked a bystander to call 911.
The situation began to escalate when Gonzalez stepped between the officer and Gomez.
Molina "pushed" Gonzalez out of the way and redirected his attention to Gomez, the most recent affidavit says.
Then Gonzalez allegedly punched Molina in the face with his fist, stunning the officer.
Gonzalez then quickly grabbed Molina around his knees and jerked his legs upward, the affidavit says.
That caused Molina "to fall backwards and head first onto the concrete driveway," the affidavit says. The blow to Molina's head knocked him unconscious, it says.
Gonzalez then "squatted over (Molina) and began to beat (him) multiple times around the face and head," the affidavit says.
Bystanders approached the group and the youths "fled the scene," the affidavit says.
An ambulance took Molina to University Medical Center. Police interviewed witnesses who provided statements and a physical description of the assailant that matched Gonzalez, the affidavit says.
At 5:18 p.m., another police officer responded to the Trowbridge location on an "officer-down" call.
Officer Jose Rosales drove east into the 5100 block of Trowbridge when he saw three men -- including Gonzalez, who matched the description he heard over the radio -- walking into some apartments. Gonzalez lives in that area.
As Rosales approached the three men yelling, "Stop, police," they ran into an alley to the north.
Gonzalez and Gomez ran east down the alley, and Medrano ran west.
Rosales described all three over the radio and another officer detained Medrano in the 1300 block of Chadbourne Street. Medrano was charged with evading arrest and released on bond.
Gonzalez was found and taken into custody.
Police later contacted Gomez, who gave a voluntary statement that was recorded on video. In his statement, Gomez admitted scratching the car, demonstrated the attack by Gonzalez and confirmed that Molina had identified himself as a police officer, the affidavit says.
Police would not discuss the investigation, and an El Paso County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman could not comment on it because prosecutors have not seen the case.
However, federal law states that 17-year-olds are not eligible for the death penalty, she said. A 2005 U.S. Supreme Court split ruling outlawed the death penalty for anyone younger than 18.
Chris Roberts may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6136.
|
|
|
|
