Causey rocked by shooting death

The shooting death of longtime rancher Jimmy “Bo” Chunn has rocked the eastern New Mexico village of Causey.

Chunn, 71, was found dead Friday morning in his home in downtown Causey, a town of about 50 sandwiched between Dora and the Texas state line. He died of a single gunshot wound fired through his window, according to 9th Judicial District Attorney Matt Chandler.

“We do have several leads we are following up on,” Chandler said Saturday. “We do believe there was foul play involved and we are investigating around the clock.”

Chandler said no arrests had been made as of Saturday night.

Roosevelt County Commissioner Tom Clark said Chunn was a gregarious sort who loved to have a good time.

“Of course it was a shock to everybody that something like this happened,” said Clark, who lives in nearby Rogers. “Everybody is wondering what happened and who might be involved.”

According to the district attorney’s office, Chunn was last seen alive on Monday. A neighbor alerted police of possible foul play early Friday morning.

Chandler said the time of death could have been anytime between Monday and Friday.

The case is being investigated by the Roosevelt County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Tom Gossett did not return several calls.

Family members either could not be reached or declined comment.

A 1952 Portales High graduate, Chunn is survived by a brother, three sisters, a son and a daughter, according to obituary information provided by the family. He moved to the village of Causey in 1959.

“It’s just a little, bitty place. Just a post office and two churches,” said local newspaper contributor Charlie Carmichael of Dora, adding she knew the victim in passing. “People are really torn up about this.”