HOBBS, N.M. — Update:
An arrest affidavit obtained by NewsWest 9 revealed new details of what happened the night of Oct. 7 at the Executive Inn Motel, when 35-year-old Maharshi Bhakta was murdered at a motel room.
According to the affidavit, Bhakta was with multiple people Saturday night, people that continually entered and left the motel room.
At one point, several males left a white vehicle parked outside the room and began physically fighting with Bhakta.
Hobbs Police reviewed surveillance footage and saw that after the fight, muzzle flashes can be seen and the males fled the scene by driving out of the area.
After reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing multiple witnesses, Hobbs Police identified and arrested the same person who shot and killed Bhakta. The person was identified as a 17-year-old male juvenile whose name will not be released to the public.
A witness said the 17-year-old male was drunk the night of the shooting and Hobbs Police don't know why the 17-year-old shot and killed Bhakta. A witness said the 17-year-old started shooting after he was "separated" from Bhakta, according to the affidavit.
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The Hobbs Police Department has arrested a 17-year-old juvenile in connection to a shooting death that took place around 10 p.m. on Oct. 7.
According to a Hobbs Police Facebook post Monday, officers responded to 200 N. Marland, the Executive Inn Motel, where they found the body of 35-year-old Maharshi Bhakta lying on the floor of a motel room near the door. Hobbs Police say Bhakta was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
HPD did a thorough investigation of the incident and identified the shooter as a 17-year-old juvenile. Officers arrested the juvenile at a local residence on Oct. 8 for first-degree murder. An arrest warrant has been obtained by Hobbs Police.
Bhakta was transported by Hobbs Fire Department Emergency Medical Personnel to Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation is still on-going and if you have any information regarding the incident, you should call dispatch at 575-397-9265. You can also call Lea County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 575-393-8005.
NewsWest 9 will update this story once we learn more.