The Artesia man whose involvement in a shooting led to an Amber Alert late last month has been bound over to district court.
Ricky L. Ellis, 54, stands charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, abuse of a child, shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, criminal damage to property (over $1,000), tampering with evidence, and three counts of negligent use of a deadly weapon.
The incident occurred on the morning of Nov. 25 in the area of West Cannon Avenue and North Eighth Street. Upon arrival, Artesia Police Department (APD) officers found Carlos Renteria on the ground, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was airlifted to an area hospital for treatment.
Police learned that Renteria had been in a verbal confrontation with Ellis and that both men had produced firearms and shot at one another. Due to Ellis’ 2-year-old daughter, Lilith, being a passenger in his pickup, an Amber Alert was issued that evening but rescinded a few hours later after the child was found safe.
Ellis’ whereabouts, however, remained unknown until Dec. 5, when he turned himself in to authorities. He was booked into the Eddy County Detention Center on Dec. 6, where he remains without bond. He is scheduled for a 2:30 p.m. preliminary hearing before Judge David E. Finger on Dec. 20 in Fifth Judicial District Court.
