A 52-year-old Socorro man, Reynaldo Ortega, has been apprehended and is facing six charges after allegedly stabbing a man in his home on Dolores Drive in Socorro.

On March 5 at 12:20 p.m. officers were dispatched to a residence on Dolores Drive in reference to a male with multiple stab wounds.

Upon arrival, Socorro police department officer, Peter James Gonzales, observed a male on the front steps of a residence with multiple lacerations to his rear left shoulder and significant blood on his shirt. Gonzales reported that he put pressure on the victim’s wounds and asked him happened.

According to reports, the victim told Gonzales that a male wearing a long sleeved, red shirt and blue jeans knocked on his door and demanded his wife. The victim reported that he didn’t know the male or who he was talking about. Ortega reportedly struck the victim with a shovel and used the shovel to break a window. He then put the shovel down and pulled out a Leatherman knife and began stabbing the victim multiple times. The suspect reportedly left the scene, and the victim went down the street.

The victim was transported by EMS to Socorro General Hospital to be treated for his wounds and is currently in stable condition.

Officer Gonzales reported that he left the area where he first made contact with the victim and went to the victim’s residence where the incident had occurred. Gonzales observed a shovel, a large spot of blood in the yard and the door to the residence open.

According to reports, a male relative of the victim told officers that he knew who had stabbed the victim. Officers made contact with the individuals, handcuffed and questioned them. The men in question reportedly told officers that they were home all day. The victim’s mother then advised officers that they had gotten the wrong suspects and were told of another nearby residence.

Upon making contact at the residence on Dolores Drive, two males were handcuffed and escorted out. Officers went to clear the last bedroom and found Ortega holding a knife in a bladed stance towards the officers. Ortega was instructed multiple times to drop the knife, said reports. An officer deployed the taser while another held the suspect at gunpoint. The taser apparently didn’t make full contact as Ortega was able to close the door and barricade himself.

Officers backed out of the house and watched the front door. The suspect came out of the front door of the residence with his hands empty, laid on the ground and was apprehended, said reports.

Ortega was transported to Socorro County detention center and his blood splattered clothes were collected by officers.

The criminal complaint filed lists six counts including: Aggravated battery (deadly weapon with a knife) a third-degree felony. Aggravated assault (with a shovel) a fourth-degree felony. Two aggravated assaults on a peace officer, a third-degree felony. Tampering with evidence, a fourth-degree felony and criminal damage to property.

Jessica Carranza | Editor