Neighbor disputes escalate to shooting in Northeast El Paso
An El Paso resident was arrested after police say he shot a neighbor during a confrontation Wednesday evening, leaving the victim in critical condition, according to court documents and police reports.
Authorities identified the suspect as Richard Montoya, 50, who was taken into custody and booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Montoya is charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and discharging a firearm in certain municipalities. Bond was set at $75,000 for the aggravated assault charge and $1,500 for the firearm offense.
Sequence of events described by investigators
- Police responded to an assault-in-progress call around 7:54 p.m. Sept. 2 in the 10300 block of Windsor Drive.
- Officers found David Rodriguez, 49, suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen and transported him to University Medical Center.
- Court documents say Rodriguez sustained injuries to his liver, stomach and colon and underwent emergency surgery to remove the bullet; he was listed in critical condition.
- Investigators documented several prior confrontations involving Rodriguez and neighbors earlier the same day.
- Another neighbor, Manuel Alejandro Rodriguez Trejo, reported a physical altercation with Rodriguez and alleged Rodriguez had vandalized parked vehicles as recently as Sept. 2.
- According to the affidavit, Montoya said he retrieved a Ruger 9mm handgun after hearing a disturbance and his wife placed a 911 call.
- Montoya told police he fired an initial warning shot into the air and then a second shot that struck Rodriguez in the abdomen when Rodriguez allegedly continued toward him.
Investigators reported they did not find another weapon at the scene and determined Rodriguez was not carrying one when he was shot.
"He believed Rodriguez was going to attack him and said he feared for his life," the affidavit states, according to police reporting.
Charges, bond and immediate aftermath
Montoya was booked on the two charges listed in the affidavit. Bond amounts set by authorities reflect the seriousness of the aggravated assault allegation and the additional firearm-related offense.
| Defendant | Charge | Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Montoya, 50 | Aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury | $75,000 |
| Discharging a firearm in certain municipalities | $1,500 |
Local impact and questions remaining
The shooting highlights a series of escalating disputes in a Northeast El Paso neighborhood that ended with a resident critically wounded and another facing serious felony charges. Court documents detail multiple altercations between neighbors on the day of the shooting, including allegations of vehicle vandalism and at least one physical confrontation.
Authorities have not said whether additional charges related to the other confrontations will be filed. Police also indicated there was no weapon found on Rodriguez at the scene; investigators will rely on the affidavit, witness statements and forensic evidence as the case moves forward.
Neighbors and residents in the area may see an increased law enforcement presence as investigators continue to process the scene and as the El Paso County District Attorney’s Office reviews the case for prosecution. The investigation is ongoing and officials have not released further public comment beyond details in the arrest report and court affidavit.
Anyone with information related to the incident has been asked to contact El Paso police. As the situation develops, court proceedings and additional police releases will provide more clarity on the sequence of events and the legal arguments to be raised in Montoya’s defense and in any response from prosecutors.
This article will be updated as additional verified information becomes available from law enforcement or court records.
