Texas Avenue shooting suspect arraigned, indicted by grand jury

Jonathon Ward, 20 of Alamogordo, was arraigned in district court on Oct. 13 following an indictment by a grand jury on Sept 23 for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, threatening a witness, tampering with evidence and criminal trespass.

Ward was accused of shooting a man in the abdomen - a non-fatal wound - in the early hours of Sept. 9.

More:Texas Avenue shooting suspect arrested

The unnamed victim of the shooting was allegedly involved in a physical and verbal altercation with Ward, who had been asked to leave a residence but refused.

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Ward allegedly retrieved a firearm from his vehicle during the altercation and threatened further violence if the incident was reported. 

Ward fled the scene and Alamogordo Police found him at his home on Coronado Drive where they took him into custody.

Ward did not ask why he was being arrested at the time but told police that the shooting was "justified," court records state.

Ward was previously arrested for stealing cars and for stealing a credit card, court records state.

Ward is being held in pretrial detention.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter.