Suspect arrested; victim released from hospital in shooting

Stephens County law enforcement has arrested a suspect in the shooting that left one person injured.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a shooting call at a residence near County Road 260 on Sunday, June 21, according to a press release from the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

“We have suspected ideas for the reason of the shooting, but we haven’t confirmed those yet,” Stephens County Sheriff Will Holt said. “The suspect left the scene before we arrived and a third party was able to call us.”

When law enforcement arrived on the scene, the individual who was shot was found outside of his home with a gunshot wound to the upper leg. The injured individual was taken by air ambulance to an out of town hospital for treatment. The victim was released from the hospital on the evening of Thursday, June 26.

The shooting occurred between roommates and the shooting suspect was identified as Joe Perez.

An initial warrant was obtained for Perez for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

Perez was arrested Sunday evening in Abilene and booked into the Taylor County Jail. Perez is now in custody in the Stephens County Jail.

On Wednesday, June 24, the Board of Pardons and Paroles within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice issued a parole violation warrant for the arrest of Perez. It was served on him at the Stephens County Jail with no bond set.

Perez was served two warrants of arrest unrelated to the shooting. Those warrants include: Assault causing bodily injury – family violence, which is a Class A Misdemeanor, and theft of property which is a Class B Misdemeanor.

Perez is currently on parole for the manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance penalty group.

The handgun used in the crime has been recovered, and a second illegally possessed firearm was seized on Monday, June 22.

The shooting investigation continues, and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is expected to file additional charges against Perez.