HOBBS, N.M. — A Hobbs man was arrested on Sunday for the shooting death of a 42-year-old man from Albuquerque, according to a Hobbs Police Department press release.
The release states that officers were called to the 1600 block of East Oak St. at approximately 10:23 p.m. because somebody was injured.
When officers arrived, 42-year-old Fidel Hernandez-Escarcega was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Hobbs PD officers tried to render aid to Hernandez-Escarcega until EMS arrived.
According to the release, Hernandez-Escarcega was taken to Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital where he later died.
Hobbs PD started to conduct an investigation into the incident and were able to track down 44-year-old Shawn Bellard, a possible suspect.
An investigation into the incident determined that Bellard is a suspect in the murder of Hernandez-Escarcega. Bellard was arrested for first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
According to Hobbs PD, below is Bellard's lengthy criminal history:
- 22 charges for failure to appear
- five charges for failure to pay
- nine charges for criminal trespass
- one charge for stalking
- one charge of bribery/intimidation of a witness
- four charges of criminal damage to property household member
- one charge of criminal damage to property
- one charge of aggravated assault against a household member
- two charges of assault against a household member
- three charges of violation of conditions of release
- two charges of battery against a household member
- one charge of concealing identity
- one charge for shoplifting
- three charges of violation of order of protection
- four charges of probation/parole violation
- one charge of aggravated assault
- one charge for resisting, evading, obstructing an officer
If anyone has information related to the incident, please report it by calling dispatch at (575) 397-9265, or contact Lea County Crime Stoppers at (575) 393-8005 (you may be eligible for a cash reward).
