Posted on 06/08/2002 11:32:31 AM PDT by trussell
Cortez man arrested in shooting
June 8, 2002
Dante J. Sena
By Katharhynn Heidelberg Journal Staff Writer
A Cortez woman was in serious condition late Friday afternoon after she was shot Thursday night with a shotgun, allegedly by the former manager of the Montezuma County Fairgrounds.
According to police reports, the incident began when Melissa Elliott, 35, of Cortez, was involved in a head-on vehicle collision with an SUV driven by Dante J. Sena, 41, also of Cortez. Sena is now an employee of the Montezuma County landfill.
Around 9 p.m., Elliott’s 2001 Pontiac Bonneville collided with Sena’s 1997 Chevy Tahoe on Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut, according to Cortez Police Chief Roy Lane. The accident was still under investigation Friday.
After the crash, Sena got out of his Tahoe and "fired at least four shots" with a 12-gauge shotgun into Elliott’s vehicle, Lane said.
He said Sena shot through the windshield, which was still intact, and also through the passenger-side window. Elliott sustained gunshot wounds to the face, neck and arm, and was rushed to Southwest Memorial Hospital by paramedics. She was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction shortly thereafter.
Lane said he did not know how many times Elliott had been shot.
A nurse at the ICU there reported that Elliott was in critical condition Friday afternoon, but would not comment further. Later, Elliott’s condition was downgraded to serious, a nurse said.
Elliott also had her throat and windpipe slashed with a knife while she was in the vehicle, Lane said.
District Attorney Joe Olt also said that Sena allegedly cut Elliott’s throat while she was in the vehicle. However, he added, Sena has not been formally charged yet.
Lane said the investigation was ongoing and refused to comment on a motive. However, he said the two were acquainted.
"The rumor is they knew each other quite well," Lane said.
Sena is on felony hold for suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, following a bond advisement Friday morning, Olt said. Bond was originally set at $100,000, but then Olt’s office learned of the victim’s condition. "I believe he is being held on a no-bond," Olt said.
Formal advisement of charges will be by June 12. Further details are expected Monday, Olt said.
A resident of a nearby apartment told the Journal Friday afternoon she and her family had heard a crash Thursday night, and, about 30 seconds later, "we heard pop, pop! — like very big firecrackers."
The woman, a psychologist who refused to give her name, said she saw a man standing at the Pontiac’s passenger side, hitting at the hood "with a passion I can’t even describe. He was just annihilating that car." She thought he was perhaps armed with a bat, but later realized he was using the butt of a shotgun.
According to the woman, the man stopped suddenly and stood staring "blankly" at Elliott’s car for about five minutes. He then leaned over and put his hand on his head "like he couldn’t believe it," the witness said.
He reportedly knelt beside the car and touched Elliott’s leg before taking her out of the vehicle and over to a lawn.
Tyler Jorgensen, who lives nearby, told the Journal Friday that he saw a man pacing around the car "like he didn’t really know what to do. You could tell he was mad — really mad. When I asked if he needed any help, he said, ‘Stay back.’ I saw him take her (Elliott) over to the lawn and put her down, and he cried out he needed help . . . I really wanted to help, but I was kind of worried, considering the gunshots. It was wild and crazy."
The psychologist said her husband went to render aid to Elliott, and used towels to staunch the bleeding. Elliott apparently asked the man, "Am I going to die? I’ve got four kids."
The woman also told the Journal that she did not think the assailant had threatened anyone at the scene. He told onlookers not to come any closer and that the gun was on the ground. She also thought she heard him say, "Get her (Elliott) some help."
"He seemed in two frames of mind," the woman said. "You could tell it was deliberate. . . then he became almost docile."
Police apprehended Sena at the scene. Despite scanner accounts that sounded as though there was a pursuit, "there was no foot chase," Lane said. "Sena was directly across the street and that is where he was arrested."
He said confusion on the point may have resulted from reports that a resident in the area had heard the shooting and came out with his gun. The man then "went back down the alley to put it away," Lane said.
Sena has been with the county landfill since October 1999, according to Montezuma County Administrator Tom Weaver. He was manager of the county fairgrounds from April 1987 to September 1993 and from January 1995 to June 1999, Weaver said.
Journal staff writers Jim Mimaga and Gail Binkly contributed to this report.
This is a very bad time we live in when violence is the tool of choice for solving differences with one another.
I pray that God will hear our offerings and show mercy towards His children who continue to disobey His teachings of love, peace and respect for one another.
We have room on death row for this maniac. Tax dollars well spent.
We called it "the rule of three".I believe emergency room staff use the same terminology.
Incidently, want to thank you for your impressive links. Your time and effort is very much appreciated.
We just had the murder of a gay American Indian boy a few months ago.
The murder of officer Dale Claxton.
Brutal murder of a mexican woman (Maria Ramirez sanchez). It just keeps getting worse.
Did you read my post #8? This post has some information about what the locals are saying.
If they can prove premeditation, they can give him the death penalty.
I agree about the tax dollars well spent.
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