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Felon arrested after shots fired

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Lance Ortiz, 28, of Iyanbito, NM, was arrested June 11 after three people told police that he fired shots at them.

According to the report, filed by Gallup Police Department Officer DeWayne Holder, Jasmine Hopkins, 25, Shirley Suina, 39, and Kenneth Martinez Jr., 37, all of Brimhall, NM were at Duke City Gas Station on East Highway 66 when a white car pulled up to them, and Ortiz had made threatening gestures that seem directed toward Martinez.

The trio walked onto Walgreen’s, stopped to purchase tamales from a street vendor and were indulging in the tamales when the white car pulled up again. According to the report, Ortiz had a handgun in his waistband when he exited the vehicle.

“[Hopkins] stated the male pulled the handgun out of his waistband as he got out of the white car,” Holder stated in his report.

The three could not agree on how many shots were fired, between two and three, but said that Ortiz pushed Hopkins and Suina and yelled out threats.

Martinez also told officers that Ortiz had shot at him a little over a month ago at the food stamp office.

More than six hours after the alleged incident took place, GPD Sgt. Billy Padavich pulled over a white vehicle at Lowe’s on Marguerite. Ortiz was found to be inside.

“Based upon statements given by Jasmine Hopkins, Shirley Suina, and Kenneth Martinez Jr., I believe probable cause exists for the arrest of Lance C. Ortiz for three counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon,” Holder said in his report. “Also during the investigation, I learned that Lance C. Ortiz is a convicted felon prohibited from possession of a firearm.”

Ortiz was booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center for three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.