A Cortez man was seriously injured after being shot and then falling out of a moving vehicle Wednesday night near the Ute Mountain Casino, the Montezuma County Sheriff\u2019s Office reported.<\/p>\n
Law officials did not immediately release the name of the victim, but eventually confirmed he is Stefen Chihocky, 22.<\/p>\n
Chihocky was airlifted to St. Mary\u2019s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Grand Junction, according to the Sheriff\u2019s Office, and a friend indicated he had been released from the hospital Sunday, Sept. 15.<\/p>\n
He was discovered at U.S. Highway 160\/491 and Mike Wash Road by Bureau of Indian Affairs police with a gunshot wound to the shoulder and serious head injuries.<\/p>\n
A manhunt for two suspects then ensued, said Montezuma County Sheriff\u2019s Office Lt. Ted Meador.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne is in custody, and we are seeking a warrant on the other,\u201d Meador said. \u201cIt appeared the victim had been thrown from a moving vehicle, and he has serious head injuries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Criminal charges of aggravated robbery were filed Friday against Ivan Martin, 25.<\/p>\n
At a court hearing Friday, Montezuma County Court Judge JenniLynn Lawrence advised Martin, the sole suspect in custody, that he is facing aggravated robbery charges, a Class 3 felony. Deputy District Attorney Debra Eurich said the charges could be elevated to felony murder if Chihocky dies from his injuries.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is in critical condition, and we don\u2019t know if he will make it,\u201d Eurich said.<\/p>\n
Eurich said Martin has a criminal history in New Mexico for drug offenses, and has a warrant for failing to appear in court for a speeding ticket in Durango. Lawrence set Martin\u2019s bond at $75,000.<\/p>\n
Meador said when officers went to the casino to investigate Wednesday night, they found the vehicle and determined the suspects had fled on foot. A K-9 search dog was used to track the suspects, but it lost the trail. The vehicle was impounded.<\/p>\n
Thursday morning, Shiprock police reported two men matching the description of the suspects were at a local grocery store. Montezuma County Sheriff\u2019s Office deputies arrived and picked up Martin, but not the other suspect.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one volunteered to come and talk with us, and is in our custody, with charges pending,\u201d Meador said. \u201cWe are seeking a warrant for the other suspect.\u201d<\/p>\n
The other suspect\u2019s identity has not been released, but he is reportedly 40 years old. Meador said they did not know the victim.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are praying that he recovers from his injuries,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n