Clovis man arrested in shooting

On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at approximately 5:42 PM Officers of the Clovis Police Department were dispatched to the 900 Block of North Jones Street in Clovis in reference to a shots fired call and a gunshot victim.

Upon the Officers arrival a victim was found on scene in Apartment #B of 921 North Jones Street suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. Clovis Fire Department Ambulance responded to give emergency care and the victim was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis where she was stabilized and then sent by Clovis Fire Department Ambulance to a Lubbock, Texas hospital for care in critical but stable condition. The gunshot victim is identified as 36-year-old Sandra Bousquet of Clovis. The victim’s family has been notified of her injuries. Also on scene were victims Joe Garza and Rita Nina Cuevas that had been assaulted and threatened by the suspect with the gun as well. Victim Rita Nina Cuevas sustained some physical injuries from having the pistol poked in her head by the suspect and fired beside her head.

The Clovis Police Department’s Detectives were immediately called out to conduct the shooting investigation. The other victims at the scene were brought in for questioning and statements by Clovis Police Detectives. The

investigation quickly led to the identification of the shooting suspect identified as 61-year-old James Fitzpatrick of Clovis, who is a next door neighbor of Joe Garza and Sandra Bousquet. Suspect James Fitzpatrick was located next door in his apartment in Apartment #A in Clovis and brought to the Clovis Police Department for questioning. The pistol believed to have been used in the shooting as well as a rifle were located in Mr. Fitzpatrick’s apartment and seized as evidence.

James Fitzpatrick has been arrested and charged with 1 count of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon, 1 count of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and or Great Bodily Harm, 3 counts of Aggravated Assault, 2 counts of Intimidation of State’s Witness, 2 counts of Felon In Possession of a Firearm and 1 count of Felony Tampering With Evidence in connection with the shooting of Ms. Sandra Bousquet and the battery, assault and threats towards victims Rita Nina Cuevas and Joe Garza. A background check revealed that James Fitzpatrick is believed to be a convicted felon in Texas.

James Fitzpatrick was transported to the Curry County Adult Detention Center for booking and is being held on bond. Motive for the shooting is still under investigation at this time, but preliminary investigation indicates the incident possibly occurred over an argument about a debt between the suspect James Fitzpatrick and Rita Nina Cuevas.

More information in this investigation may be released at a later date as it becomes available.