CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

On 08/09/15 the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center to contact a victim of a stabbing. When deputies arrived they spoke with the victim, Dominic Gallegos, a 29 year old male from Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to Gallegos he and numerous friends were camping in the area of county road 340a near Buena Vista when he and a friend, James Browning, a 29 year old male from Rio Rancho, New Mexico became involved in an argument. According to Gallegos he attempted to walk away from the argument when he was attacked by Browning who was wielding a large machete. Browning struck Gallegos in the left elbow and left back with the machete causing slashes to both areas. Browning fled the scene after the attack. The victim was transported to HRRMC by friends.

The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office immediately put out a bolo to other law enforcement agencies in an attempt to locate Browning. A short time later the Antonito Police Department located Browning in Antonito, Colorado where he was taken into custody.

Browning is charged with Second Degree Assault, a class 4 felony and Possession of a Weapon by a Previous Offender, a class 5 felony. Browning is being held on a $10,000 bond.

The victim, Dominic Gallegos was treated and released from HRRMC.