An 18-year-old accused of shooting and killing a man in La Plata County was arrested Wednesday night after he lied to authorities and was originally released.
Officers were called to a home in the Cedar Point subdivision, two miles southwest of Ignacio, where they found 39-year-old Joey Benavidez dead from apparent gunshot wounds, according to a news release from the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.
Witnesses told investigators that they heard several loud pops from inside the home before they saw Benavidez stumble outside and collapse on the lawn. They also reported seeing two men jump into a pickup truck with New Mexico license plates and drive away.
Shortly after, authorities spotted the truck parked along U.S. Highway 550.Elijah Timothy Anglin, of Farmington, N.M., was sitting in the driver’s seat.
Anglin was taken into custody and told investigators that he picked up a hitchhiker, drove him to the home and watched him shoot Benavidez.
Anglin was released Tuesday night.
Wednesday, authorities continued to investigate the case and determined that there was enough probable cause to arrest Anglin. He was arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of first-degree murder.
Investigators identified the second man accused of being involved with the shooting. Authorities are looking for Tommy Lee Mitchell, 19 also of Farmington.
Mitchell is considered to be armed and dangerous.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Dan Patterson at 970-382-7015 or Investigator Jim Hendricks at 970-382-7018.
