An Artesia man was arrested Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly shooting at the father of an individual who owed him money.
The Artesia Police Department was dispatched Sunday to Seventh Street and Cannon Avenue in reference to shots fired. Several witnesses informed the officer they had seen a grey compact car leaving the area after they heard shots, which were preceded by the sound of people arguing.
The officer was able to locate two spent shell casings from a 9mm Luger JAG and a 9mm GFL.
One individual in particular approached the officer and stated he had been shot at, and that he knew his assailant. He said the man, identified as Salome Gurrola, 20, of Artesia, had been waving a Glock at him before taking a shot.
The individual told police his son owed Gurrola a small sum of money; when Gurrola came to the home, presumably looking to collect, the man told him he was not allowed onto his property with a gun. The man said Gurrola began laughing at him, at which point the man’s son threw a rock at Gurrola’s vehicle, breaking a window.
The man again ordered Gurrola to leave. He said Gurrola then drove to the south end of the block, exited the vehicle, and fired two rounds in his direction as the man hid behind a concrete wall to avoid being struck.
Gurrola was arrested at 10:24 p.m. Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a fourth-degree felony.
