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GPD looking for shooting suspects

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The Gallup police remain on the lookout for two male suspects who beat up and shot at someone at the Hacienda Motel along East Historic Highway 66, according to a criminal complaint. The incident apparently was over a $10 debt, according to written police information.

Gallup police officer Steven Peshlakai recorded in written correspondence that on April 29 he arrived at the hotel at about 11:12 pm and found Jeffrey Webster, 40, sitting on the bed and bleeding heavily from the face and head.

“I noticed coagulated blood on his lap. I also saw shell casting on the floor,” Peshlakai wrote.

The written police information states that Webster was transported to Gallup Indian Medical Center by MedStar. A witness to the incident said he heard gunshots and a loud banging noise coming from Webster’s room. The witness said he saw two males holding down and hitting Webster with their fists and a gun.

It was discovered that one of the male suspects goes by the name of “J.D.” He is described as Native American and with short hair. The other male suspect goes by the name “Benzall” and is also Native American with short hair.

The witness said “Benzall” was brandishing a silver pistol and hitting Webster in the face with it. “J.D.” possessed a baseball bat and was hitting Webster in the head. The suspects ran off when the witness managed to surreptitiously enter the hotel room of Webster.

The witness told police that the Hillcrest Mobile Home Park might be the hiding place of the two suspects. Webster told police that the three got into an argument over $10 that was owed to the two suspects. “J.D.” fired several rounds from the gun in the direction of Webster, the written information by Peshlakai states.

By Bernie Dotson

Sun Correspondent