Sept. 27--A 29-year-old El Paso police officer who was violently beaten while off duty on Tuesday remained hospitalized Wednesday in serious but stable condition.
El Paso police spokesman Officer Javier Sambrano said the officer, who has not been publicly identified, has been with the department for four years.
Sambrano said Juan Antonio Gonzalez, 17, faces a charge of aggravated assault against a public servant in the attack, which happened in the 4100 block of Trowbridge just before 5 p.m. Tuesday.
Sambrano said the attack was sparked after the officer confronted Gonzalez and two others about
damage to his car.
The officer identified himself as an El Paso police officer.
Gonzalez allegedly attacked the officer, causing the officer to hit his on head on the ground and knocking him unconscious. Sambrano said Gonzalez continued his attack on the officer by striking him on the face and neck.
A witness was able to stop Gonzalez and provided aid to the officer while Gonzalez and the others fled the scene.
Gonzalez was arrested a short time later as officers combed the area for the suspects. Officers detained another man, Alan Medrano, 19, but Medrano tried to flee from the officers.
Medrano faces a charge of evading arrest-detention.
Gonzalez was booked into the El Paso County Jail in lieu
of posting $200,000 bond.
Sambrano said investigators continued to interview witnesses Wednesday and more arrests were pending. The mug shots of Gonzalez and Medrano will be released at a later date.
Adriana M. Chavez may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6117. Follow her on Twitter @AChavezEPTimes
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