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Perez pleads no contest in shooting
Socorro High School Football team praying for their teammate and coach in November 2024.
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Leonardo Perez, 21 pleaded no contest to charges from a shooting that injured a Socorro high school football player and assistant coach one year ago in November, 2024.
According to court documents, In a plea conference on Oct. 31 with the honorable Judge Mercedes C. Murphy, Perez agreed to a no contest to Count 1 attempted abuse of a child resulting in great bodily harm and a firearm enhancement and Count 9 battery on a household member.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 9, 2026.
One year ago
According to a Socorro Police report on Nov. 14, 2024 officers responded to a call in reference to two males who had received gunshot wounds at a home located on Silva Street.
16-year-old Josiah Barba, along with Oscar Acosta, an assistant football coach, tried to help Barba’s sister who was involved in a domestic dispute with her baby’s birth father.
Upon arrival, officers asked the suspect, Leonardo Perez, 20, of Socorro, to come out of the residence with no weapons and his hands up.
Police said Perez came out and officers placed him into handcuffs and secured him in the police vehicle. Perez reportedly told police he was having a fight with his girlfriend over a child, and a physical altercation took place, noting a female was pushed out of the residence.
According to reports, the female called her brother, who arrived a short time later with his 33-year-old assistant football coach.
Police indicated Perez was reportedly inside the residence and fired his gun several times, striking both males.
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The victims were transported to Socorro General Hospital where Barba, along with his assistant coach, underwent surgery to treat gunshot wounds.
Police conducted a search warrant and secured a rifle from the residence.
At the time Perez was charged with Eight felony charges and one misdemeanor, including abuse of a child (results in great bodily harm), three charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, three charges of assault with the intent to commit a violent felony and battery on a household member.
