Fort Carson soldier found in Texas with girlfriend after allegedly shooting her stepdad
BORGER, Texas. (KRDO) -- A Fort Carson soldier is in custody Monday, hundreds of miles away in Texas after police say he shot his 17-year-old girlfriend's stepdad in Fountain.
The shooting on Alegre Circle in Fountain happened Saturday night. Investigators say the victim is recovering from multiple gunshot wounds.
"He's currently in stable condition at the local hospital and my detective is also going to be going up and interviewing him today, but he's stable and expected to survive," said Lt. Mark Cristiani with Fountain Police.
The man accused of shooting him, 21-year-old Stephen Cruz Sandoval, was found Sunday in Borger, Texas northeast of Amarillo, about six hours away from Fountain.
Authorities in Texas also found his girlfriend, who he was traveling with, unharmed.
Sandoval faces charges of attempted second degree murder, menacing and endangerment and is waiting to be extradited back to Colorado.
"I actually have two detectives heading down to Texas right now as we speak. They are going to be interviewing the suspect and doing everything we need to process the evidence we have in Texas," Cristiani said.
Police say Sandoval shot his girlfriend's stepdad, after he tried to help her from a domestic violence situation on Fort Carson.
"He had followed her here to her parent's house and when they got here, there was an altercation between her family here and him in the middle of the street. From there, we know the Fort Carson soldier shot the victim and then fled the scene," said Cristiani.
During the investigation, police say the teen managed to get in touch with Sandoval and willingly left with him to Texas.
Police say she is now back home with her family.
Authorities believe they may have been trying to get to Alabama. They say the extradition process could take up to a few weeks until Sandoval is brought back to El Paso County.
Previous coverage:
Fountain police tell us that a suspect in a shooting Saturday night has been found in northwest Texas and is now awaiting extradition back to Colorado.
The suspect, 21 year-old Stephen Cruz Sandoval, is an active duty Fort Carson soldier and was believed to be traveling with a missing and endangered 17-year-old girl. This Sunday morning, authorities in Texas found both Sandoval and Keloe Roxie-Malia Tata, said the Fountain Police Department.
The girl, Keloe, is safe and unharmed, police reported.
Sandoval is now facing charges of attempted second degree murder, menacing and endangerment.
A photo of Sandoval has not yet been released by Texas authorities, police say.
Previous coverage:
FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KRDO) - The Fountain Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a man fighting for his life.
Officers were called to the 7000 block of Alegre Cir., around 8:45 p.m. Saturday. When they arrived they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Fountain Police have identified the suspect as Stephen Cruz Sandoval, 21, who is an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Carson. He is described as a white male, 5'9", 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous.
Fountain Police are also asking the public to be on the lookout for Keloe Roxie-Malia Tata, 17, who fled the scene with Sandoval and is now considered missing/endangered. She is described as a white female, 5'3", 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Tata and Sandoval are believed to be driving around in a blue 2015 Hyundai Genesis with Colorado license plate ACV-I84. If you see this vehicle, or if you have any information about the shooting, contact Fountain Police immediately.
