GRANTS - Roger 'Rogelio' Esparza was shot in his left leg early on Saturday morning, according to Grants Police Department Detective John Castaneda.

    A person called authorities and said they had heard shots fired at a neighbor's home, at the corner of Elm and Inwood Streets in Grants, and a person who looked to have been injured left the scene in a dark colored vehicle, Castaneda said. Minutes later, police were informed that a person who needed to be treated for bullet wounds was at Cibola General Hospital.

    Police found Esparza at the hospital and interviewed him in which they received little response.

According to the police report, Esparza said that when he arrived at the home a fight was already occurring when he arrived to pick up a cell phone charger. “He didn't know what the fight was over,” Castaneda said.

    A juvenile, Victoria Otero, was with Esparza at the hospital, also suffering from wounds.  “Obviously he was beat up,” said Castaneda. “At the same place Esparza was shot? We don't know.”

Castaneda said that all the police are getting is a bunch of “I don't knows” from the victims. “They are not cooperating,” Castaneda said.

    A bullet was found lodged in Esparza's cell phone battery and apparently there were some shots which had gone through his pants. “Apparently he was shot at more than once,” the Grants detective said.

According to Castaneda, Esparza was treated and released.

    Two weeks ago, Esparza's name was referenced in a drug raid named 'Operation Wolf Pack' at Franciscan Lodge. He and his grandmother are co-managers of the lodge. There was no answer to phone calls early Monday to confirm the two were still managing the business. According to GPD officials, the lodge has been targeted for illegal drug activity.

    As of Monday afternoon, police were still searching for the people responsible for the shooting.

If you, or if you know of anyone that has more information about the incident, call Crimestoppers at 287-8400. A person providing information that could lead to an arrest may be eligible for a cash reward.