Multiple firearms found in search

PORTALES — Police found a revolver, a shotgun, a Glock pistol, four .40-caliber bullet casings, loaded magazines, brass knuckles, at least two pocket knives and “several bottles of alcohol” while investigating Saturday’s shooting death of a Portales Army veteran.

The items were discovered on scene or during the execution of nine search warrants served Saturday against five individuals and involving three residences and one automobile.

Police found only alcohol, bullet casings and two knives at the scene itself, 510 E. 18th St. Officials said they are waiting on lab results to determine if any the weapons recovered were used to shoot Derek Garcia, 24, who died at the scene from a single gunshot to the chest.

No charges had been filed Tuesday in connection with the incident, which also sent two young men to area hospitals.

Records show the shooter, Devin Guidry II, 22, “claimed he acted in self-defense after Derek attacked him with a knife.”

Roosevelt County Sheriff Malin Parker told The News that witness testimony thus far supports Guidry’s claims, and that Guidry was cooperating with investigators.

The investigation began shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, when police were dispatched for reports of “several individuals engaged in an altercation.”

Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Deputy Christian Townsend wrote in his report that he “observed several bottles of alcohol at the scene, and the nature of the scene showed a gathering of approximately 20 individuals had occurred.”

Townsend noted he “saw at least two individuals on scene carrying pocket knives” and four people purporting to be direct witnesses to the shooting that took place on the front yard.

Quintin Carmichael, 20, was shot in the leg and Nino Darienzo, 22, suffered multiple stab wounds during the altercation. Both were flown to Lubbock for treatment. Carmichael was released Saturday from the hospital, and Parker said Darienzo is also expected to recover.

Carmichael told The News on Monday that he was shot with a .40-caliber bullet, but wasn’t sure if it came from the same gun that Guidry used to shoot Garcia.

Records show photos, prints and DNA swabs were taken for four individuals, all of whom were inside one of two adjoining units at the Greyhound Apartments.

Individuals contacted Monday by The News at those apartment units declined to speak to the incident and referred questions to the sheriff.

Records show at least four people targeted by the investigation have recently been students at Eastern New Mexico University.

Cannon Air Force Base’s media representative said Tuesday that Senior Airman Darienzo arrived at the base early in 2017 and that the Office of Special Investigations is assisting Parker’s office in the investigation.

Jeff Long, ENMU’s vice-president of student affairs, declined to comment on the incident.

Witnesses have said the group was gathered for a party.

Sheriff Parker declined to say who authorities believe shot Carmichael and who stabbed Darienzo.

While no criminal charges had been filed Tuesday, Parker said “we are still conducting interviews. ... This is going to be a lengthy investigation, I can tell you that. A lot of potential charges.”