Local Roundup

Shooting victim still in critical condition

A Clovis man shot Friday night in the 1000 block of Reid Street was still listed in critical condition at University Medical Center in Lubbock Monday night, hospital officials said.

Clovis police were unable to provide much detail Monday night why Chris Lucero, 38, had been shot. Detective Roger Grah said until he his able to speak directly with the victim, details about the incident will remain unclear.

Grah did say he had identified multiple suspects in the shooting, but did not know why it happened or if the suspects had any relation to the victim.

Apparently Lucero is originally from Portales, but had been living in Clovis for the past year or so, Grah said.

Lucero was riding his bike at the time he was shot, unsuccessfully attempted to get help at a nearby apartment and then collapsed. He was transported to Plains Regional Medical Center, then flown to Lubbock.

Senate approves funding for Cannon

The U.S. Senate passed a $9.5 million spending bill on Monday to construct a consolidated airmen’s center with dining hall, postal center and a laundry facility at Cannon Air Force Base, according to a press release distributed from U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici’s office.

The bill — which includes money for other New Mexico bases — must go before the U.S. House of Representatives before federal funds are allotted.

The Military Construction Appropriations bill for the fiscal year 2005 will go to a joint committee between the House and Senate to iron out differences between the two chambers’ bills, the release stated.

“New Mexico’s military installations are second to none,” U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman said in a press release. “As the Pentagon gears up for another round of base closures and realignments, it’s important for us to ensure our bases remain in top shape.”

Because the bill is still working its way through Congress, it could still be changed before being sent to the president to be signed into law, according to the Bingaman release.