Big Spring Herald - Man arrested on charges of deadly conduct

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October 2008

Man arrested on charges of deadly conduct

Wednesday, 07 May 2008
By THOMAS JENKINS Staff Writer A local gang member was arrested Tuesday and charged with deadly conduct for a Saturday shooting police officials say is related to the ongoing narcotics turf war that claimed the life of two local residents Sunday night. Renaldo Nava, 26, of 1306 Mesa, was arrested at 10:40 a.m. Tuesday and charged with deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting that happened at noon Saturday in the 3200 block of W. Highway 80. “The report of shots fired wasn't immediately reported,” said Big Spring Police Department Lt. Terry Chamness. “The incident occurred near Cantu Hydraulics. The report doesn't specify how many shots were believed to have been fired, but there were no injuries. The only thing that is believed to have been hit during the shooting was C&M Garage's building, which is located across the street. The owner of the garage said he heard something hit the building.” According to officials with the Big Spring Police Department, Nava is a known member of the Latin Kings street gang which has been engaged in a turf war with a local family for several months now. “A witness at the scene of the shooting was able to identify Nava,” said Chamness. “He was taken into custody at a location in Coahoma without incident.” The alleged dispute between the two groups turned deadly Sunday night when local residents Valerie Garcia, 20, and Michael Cardona, 21, were killed in a shooting in the 900 block of E. 16th Street. According to police reports, Garcia was pregnant at the time of her death. Her unborn child was also killed. “Are these two incidents related? Yes,” said Chamness, “but only in the fact that these two groups have been shooting at one another for several months now. That's the only connection between what happened Saturday and the shootings Sunday.” Also injured in the Sunday shooting were an unidentified 3-year-old girl, 19-year-old Phiilp Martinez, 21-year-old Daniel Rios and 21-year-old David Rios. According to Sgt. Tony Everett, BSISD public information officer, the 3-year-old suffered a leg wound in the shooting and was treated at the emergency room at Scenic Mountain Medical Center and released. Daniel Rios was listed in fair condition at Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock earlier this week. According to Chamness, the conflict between the Latin Kings and members of the Rios family has been ongoing for several months, contributing dozens of reports of deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm to the police activity log. “This is all about drug territory,” said Chamness. “There's an ongoing dispute over drug territory between the Rios family and the Latin Kings. That's what's at the heart of these shootings.” No arrests have been made in Sunday's shooting deaths, according to police officials. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information regarding these shootings is encouraged to contact the police department at 264-2550 or Crimestoppers at 263-TIPS (8477). Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Last Updated ( Friday, 09 May 2008 )

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Comments

I think the BSPD are doing the best that their capabilities allow, but to get a handle on this situation additional help is going to have to be called in. BSPD is short-staffed and cannot physically do this on their own. Wheter it be help from other agencies or the National Guard, we need help to take back our town. This situation is far from over. The retailation is going to continue and more innocent lives are going to be lost.
Posted by Jen, on May 8, 2008 at 7:11

In the late 1980's the law enforcement agencies around this town were terrible, but now, I feel that the BSPD is doing what they can do at the present moment with the staffing issues, and current daily duties. If the citizens of this community want their community back, then simply stating the obvious fact that the BSPD needs help is somewhat useless. We, the citizens of Big Spring, need to step up and report things we see, and be a major source of help. Since this is the community's problem, the community as a whole needs to do their part in correcting it. If you are worried about retaliation, well don't be. Crimestoppers is anonymous. Here is another novel idea: stop buying drugs and put the dealers out of business. Take it from someone who knows first hand, freedom and peace are not free. Kudos to the BSPD for doing what they can do.
Posted by Ryan, on May 8, 2008 at 9:58

I think the Rios family has been here for over 50 years, and the disbursement needs to be among the Latin Kings. We need to support our local famlies. The Rios family never caused trouble like this the whole time their family has resided here in Big Spring. Concentrate on what need's to be concentrated on!!!
Posted by Stephanie, on May 8, 2008 at 10:48

I agree. If BSPD is short and is doing all this possible, why not call for some outside assistance. They know who all is involved, lets go after them. A couple days after the Sunday shootings occur, gun shots were heard about 3:30 am on the west part of town. BSPD states for the citizens to come forward with any information. I agree totally, but it's kind of hard to do so when all of these shootings occur during the wee hours of the morning. Alot of the citizens states that we need not to be blame the police department, to blame the parents due to bad parenting. Did you know that these people (Rios) moved out of the west side to get away from this? Our kids make their own choice and we can't control that. It would be nice if we could. The BSPD states it has to do with drugs. If you know that these two groups are involved with the drugs, lets get them all of the streets. Lets prosecute them and give them what is appropriate punishment. I pray for the families that this has affected and also I pray for the BSPD ever night they go and get called out to all these shootings. We need to stop all these shootings and know that our streets are safe. Be able to sleep at night not having to be awaken at 3:30 in the morning to gun shots. And those that are involved be able to have their kIds and that have to go to school the next morning be able to sleep in their beds. People don't realize it that you have some kids sleeping on the floor because they don't feel safe in their beds. The kids don't have blame that their father, uncle, grandfather do what they do.
Posted by Concern Citizen, on May 8, 2008 at 11:58

I think the judicial system in this city has gone to crap. I have small children and dont feel comfortable with letting them outside to play and that is sad. I have lived here all my life and think that the longer this continues the further away we get from justice. Im sick and tired of people saying that the police are doing all that they can. I say if they are associated with the gangs then get em off the streets. TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS. TAKE CARE OF INNOCENT FAMILIES!!
Posted by anonymous, on May 8, 2008 at 13:20

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My family has lived in Big Spring for 31 years. This last Thursday my mother, Geri York and I had to go out of town for some doctors appts. We stopped at the very last gas station as you leave town heading to Midland. I think it is a Shell Sation. We had to get a gallon of water to add to my truck. We purchased the water and before we could even get it into the truck we had two seperate men ask if we needed any help. This is the reason we live in Big Spring and West Texas!! Rhonda Bronaugh - Big Spring	The greed of the people in Big Spring has become unbelievable since shortly after the refinery explosion! Now that there is an influx of out-of-towners the supply and demand of housing is being strained. Rent has suddenly doubled (or more) and "trailer parks" are popping up all over to help accomodate. All these good ol' boys are lining their pockets on opportunity presented by tragedy and it makes me sick. Not only are they raping the newcomers for their money, but those of us who have lived here for years haven't suddenly come into a lot of money. We still work regular jobs with regular pay. Now we can't even afford to live in our own town because of the greed of all these opportunists! Tomieka Maddux - Big Spring