An investigation into the May 4 shooting that claimed the lives of two Big Spring residents is still under way, according to local law enforcement officials, with at least one suspect still at large.

 

“The investigation is moving forward,” said Sgt. Tony Everett, public information officer for the Big Spring Police Department. “It's moving slowly, but it is moving forward.”

Valerie Garcia, 20, and Michael Cardona, 21, both of Big Spring, were pronounced dead at Scenic Mountain Medical Center shortly after the shooting was reported at 905 E. 16th St. at 9:38 p.m. Sunday, May 4. According to police reports, Garcia was pregnant at the time of her death.

Also injured in the 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 Everett, the 3-year-old suffered a leg wound and was treated at the emergency room at Scenic Mountain Medical Center and released.

According to police investigators, a dark-colored Ford pickup was seen leaving the scene of the shooting.

Earnesto Trevino, 24, of Lubbock was arrested May 15 by law enforcement officials in the eastern portion of Midland and charged with deadly conduct/discharge of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a May 3 shooting near Cantu Hydraulics, according to police officials. No one was injured in the May 3 shooting.

Everett said Trevino was also wanted for questioning in the murder investigation, along with James Cole, 18, of Lamesa, calling both “persons of interest” in the case.

Cole — who answers to the nickname “Blitz” — is described as a white male, 5 feet, 8 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair, brown eyes and a “Blitz” tattoo on his neck, and is still being sought for questioning in the case, according to Everett.

BSPD Lt. Terry Chamness said the May 4 shooting — along with a slew of other shootings currently being investigated — are all connected to a drug turf dispute between a Big Spring family and a local street gang.

Howard County District Attorney Hardy Wilkerson said his office will examine the evidence before deciding whether the shooting should be prosecuted as a capital murder.

“It certainly appears to have the merits necessary for capital murder, but until the details of the investigation are turned over to us its hard to say for sure,” said Wilkerson shortly after the investigation began. “Anything at this point would purely be speculation.”

Anyone with information regarding the murder investigation or the whereabouts of Cole is encouraged to contact the Big Spring Police Department at 264-2550 or Big Spring Area Crimestoppers at 263-TIPS (8477) or 264-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