Warrant issued for suspect in shooting

CLOVIS – A warrant alleging aggravated battery has been issued in connection with last Sunday’s shooting of a Clovis teenager.

Sergio Barrera, 35, is accused of shooting Esmeralda Gonzalez in the stomach while outside Barrera’s home at 1217 Mora Street.

She said Barrera accused her of “setting us up” just before he shot her.

Barrera remained at large this weekend.

An affidavit for arrest warrant alleges Barrera believed Gonzalez’ former boyfriend was planning to “shoot up the house.” Police records show the Mora Street residence had been the target of a drive-by shooting on Jan. 15.

Gonzalez, 17, told Barrera her former boyfriend “was not like that” and that he did not own a vehicle described as being involved in the drive-by.

She said two other people were in the driveway when Barrera shot her and no one tried to help her or call 911. “Sergio talked about dumping her body in a ditch because he wasn’t going down for this. They talked about blaming (the former boyfriend) for shooting Esmeralda so Sergio wouldn’t be in trouble,” the affidavit reads.

Gonzalez told police she was in the driveway for about six minutes before someone helped her inside the house and called for help.

Jessica Gonzalez said Friday her daughter is still in pain and continuing medical treatment as she recovers in a Lubbock hospital.