Cisneros family attorney: 5-year-old progressing

The 5-year-old girl shot and critically injured May 3 at Ned Houk Park has made “significant progress” over the past few days, an attorney representing her family said.

“The family is asking for continued prayers for her recovery,” said Matt Chandler, speaking on behalf of the family of Harley Cisneros.

Cisneros and her friend, Taryn Allen, both 23 of Texico, were found dead in the park from gunshot wounds. Cisneros’ oldest daughter, unnamed at the family’s request, was also shot and taken to a Lubbock hospital, authorities said. Cisneros’ infant daughter, Eleia Torres, was kidnapped from the scene but has since been returned to her family.

Officials in Abilene, Texas, early Monday located a suspect with baby Eleia and arrested him on charges of aggravated battery and assault on a peace officer. Those charges stem from an altercation the suspect had with an Uber driver in Abilene, Clovis Police Capt. Robert Telles said on Friday.

Alek Collins, 26, from the Houston area, remained jailed in Abilene over the weekend. Clovis District Attorney Quentin Ray has filed charges of murder and kidnapping against Collins in Clovis and said he believes federal charges are also pending.

“At this point, we don’t know anything about his extradition or if he will have to resolve Texas first? Or federal authorities may have a hold on him? I’m just not sure. We have requested this information,” Ray told The News in an email.

Margot Cravens, a public affairs officer with the FBI in Albuquerque, said the agency would make no comment on the case in which it assisted.

“We are unable to further comment on this specific investigation, as we wouldn’t want to speculate on the extent of or to limit our investigative actions,” Cravens wrote in an email.

Local authorities have provided little information since Collins’ arrest, citing requests from the FBI asking them to limit comment.

The victims’ family members are still “very emotional,” Chandler said, and not ready to speak publicly about their ordeal.

Allen’s family did provide obituary information to Muffley Funeral Home, though services were not announced.

The obituary described Allen as loving the outdoors and sharing stories about her life.

“Her favorite animal was a sloth, favorite color was orange and she liked going on long drives …,” her obituary read.

“Anything that screamed ‘adventurous’ already had her name on it, she was so outgoing.”

Author Bio

Do you have a question?
A comment you'd like to see published?
Or maybe a story idea for a future edition?

— Please email the publisher: [email protected]