Christopher Olivarez, 18, currently being held in the Howard County jail, was indicted on charges of murder, a first-degree felony, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second-degree felony.

 Olivarez was arrested June 26 in Lamesa on a charge of murder for his role in the May 30 shooting that claimed the life 16-year-old Justin Hernandez, a student at Big Spring High School.

Hernandez was pronounced dead shortly after 10 a.m. at a Lubbock area hospital, according to police records. According to law enforcement officials, Hernandez and a second victim — later identified as 17-year-old Richard Pineda of Big Spring — were shot while attending a party at a residence in the 1600 block of Cardinal shortly after midnight.

Preliminary investigation into the shooting revealed that a fight involving the two teenagers and several others had occurred earlier in the evening, according to police officials. Family members of Hernandez have maintained the 16-year-old Big Spring High School student was not directly involved in any fight.

Hernandez's mother, Nicole Harbour, has maintained since the youth's death he was not involved in the fight that eventually spurred the shooting, which is believed to have been the result of an altercation between two female party-goers.

“There were several fights that night, one between some females who later brought back some male friends,” said Harbour. “When they brought them, there was another fight, and not everyone that was at the party was involved in the fight. My son wasn't involved in the fight. After that, the people that came back to the party left again.

“The kids were playing football in the street and someone drove by and swerved at them like they were going to run them over. The vehicle took off, and not more than five minutes later it came back and did the same thing. This time, though, it stopped at the end of the road. The kids in the street thought they had come back to fight again, and that's when this person got out (of the car) and started shooting.”

If convicted of murder, Olivera faces five to 99 years to life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000. If convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, he faces two to 20 years in prison and a similar fine.

Also indicted Thursday were:

• John Allen Avant, 22, of 2009 S. Johnson, possession of a controlled substance (state jail felony), possession of marijuana (state jail felony), possession of a controlled substance PG 2 (second-degree felony) and possession of a controlled substance (second-degree felony).

• Corey Ramey, 22, of 1401 N. Highway 87 Apt. 1704, possession of a controlled substance (state jail felony).

• Tandi Jo Barbee, 27, of 5822 Ranch Road 33, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (state jail felony).

• Juan Antonio Cantu, 48, of 508 Young, delivery of a controlled substance (state jail felony) and delivery of a controlled substance (second-degree felony).

• Samantha Donnell Dawson, 22, currently being held in the Midland County Jail, delivery of a controlled substance (three counts, all state jail felonies).

• Barney Dodd, 39, of 411 N. Main Street in Coahoma, possession of a controlled substance (state jail felony).

• Amber Michelle Gutierrez, 34, of 3608 Calvin, debit card abuse (third-degree felony).

• Ronald Steven Hale, 36, of 1815 S. Benton, possession of a controlled substance (second-degree felony) and delivery of a controlled substance (first-degree felony).

• Melissa Ann Hernandez, 24, of 2623 Ent, tampering with governmental records (third-degree felony).

• Johnny Lara Jr., 20, of 1011 Scurry, possession of a controlled substance (state jail felony) and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (second-degree felony).

• Timothy Ray Lucio, 24, of 1001 Bluebonnet, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle (state jail felony).

• Brent Lee Marin, 37, of 620 Caylor, credit card abuse (state jail felony).

• Jason Dewayne Roberts, 29, 2106 S. Monticello, driving while intoxicated (third-degree felony).

• Colby Ross Thurman, 27, of 1310 Baylor, possession of a controlled substance (third-degree felony).

• Moises Torres, 40, of 1312 Virginia, possession of a controlled substance (state jail felony).

• Ruben Lee Trevino Jr., 31, of 2310 Runnels, possession of a controlled substance (first-degree felony, enhanced), delivery of a controlled substance (state jail felony) and delivery of a controlled substance (first-degree felony, enhanced).

• Nick Rodriguez Valencia, 26, of 507 N.W. 11th Street, delivery of a controlled substance (two counts, both second-degree felonies).

• Robert Rodriguez Valencia Jr., 30, currently being held in the county jail, delivery of a controlled substance (second-degree felony).

• James Ryan Villanueva, 24, of 2613 Chanute, possession of a controlled substance PG 2 (third-degree felony) and credit card abuse (state jail felony).

• Martin Alvarado, 28, currently being held in the county jail, credit card abuse (state jail felony).

• Arthur Earl Calloway Jr., 20, of 1301 Sycamore, aggravated sexual assault of a child (first-degree felony) and burglary of a building (third-degree felony, enhanced).

• Clayton Wigington, 23, of 602 Highland, burglary of a habitation (two counts, both second-degree felonies).

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