Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Clovis police investigate a fatal shooting Thursday on Dawn Loop.
Steaphan Steele Shepherd
CLOVIS — A Clovis man was arrested Friday evening in connection with a Thursday morning homicide in south Clovis.
Steaphan Steele Shepherd, 26, was arrested on a murder warrant filed in the shooting death of Curtis Rittenhouse, also 26 of Clovis.
Shepherd’s capture was announced via the Clovis Police Department Facebook page. A release from CPD Chief Doug Ford stated Shepherd was apprehended at 10:03 p.m. Friday by the Portales Police Department before his transport to Clovis. Curry County Adult Detention Center records show Shepherd was booked at 3:34 a.m. Saturday.
A Thursday CPD news release stated police were dispatched to the 600 block of Dawn Loop about 10:30 a.m. Upon arrival, a deceased male later identified as Rittenhouse was found lying on the ground in front of a residence.
According to the warrant affidavit filed Friday in Curry County Magistrate Court:
• The home's resident told police Rittenhouse was visiting and looking for bicycle parts in the yard. He also said a man named Falcon — later identified as Shepherd — was at the residence with two friends to collect some things from a back bedroom.
• The resident said he was inside the house with Shepherd's two friends when they heard six to seven shots. The resident waited a minute or two before going outside, and called 911 after he found Rittenhouse unresponsive.
• Witnesses told police Rittenhouse and Shepherd had a dispute, with Shepherd accusing Rittenhouse of theft.
• Evidence was collected at Shepherd's home, and a local gun dealer confirmed Shepherd had purchased a Taurus pistol the previous week.
Anybody with information can call the CPD at 575-763-9472, Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000, text 274637 with TIPCPD followed by their tip or visit: tipsubmit.com
