Friday’s Five Facts
[1] Jury convicts man who shot NMSP officer in the neck – A jury convicted Caleb Elledge, who shot a NMSP officer in the neck in 2022. A gas station employee reported that Elledge’s girlfriend was using drugs inside the store and flagged an officer down. Elledge rammed his car into the officer’s patrol unit and fled. Lt. Jeremy Vaughan carried out a PIT maneuver, causing the suspect’s vehicle to come to a stop. Elledge then opened fire, hitting Vaughan in the neck. Elledge fled on foot and was taken into custody the next day. He plead guilty to a federal charge for being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to nine years in federal prison in 2024. Following his conviction on Thursday, he will be sentenced at a later date. Officer Vaughan received medical treatment and survived.
[2] ABQ leaders plan to rename city-owned places bearing Cesar Chavez’s name – Albuquerque is now charting out the next steps of a community-wide renaming process amid new sexual abuse allegations against the iconic labor leader Cesar Chavez. Avenida Cesar Chavez is just one of the places with Chavez’s name that could be changed. The mayor said while the work begins now, the process won’t be fast. The city said the community meetings on renaming will be held at the Hispanic Cultural Center. The mayor said there is no timeline yet on when the changes could be made.
[3] Historically hot March temperatures around New Mexico – Unprecedented, record-breaking heat continues across New Mexico, with even hotter temperatures on the way this weekend before a very brief cooldown Monday. Highs will surge again Friday and likely setting more records. The heat wave peaks Saturday, with widespread record highs. Temperatures will drop statewide Monday, but still remain above average…