Portales man charged in stabbing

Freedom New Mexico

A 25-year Portales man was charged Thursday in connection with a stabbing last week in the 800 block of South Avenue B.

Jose Zapata is charged with aggravated battery and parole violation, according to Capt. Lonnie Berry of the Portales PD. He is being held at the Roosevelt County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond.

Zapata was arrested Monday at his sister’s house for parole violation, according to Berry.

The 17-year-old victim, who was stabbed in the stomach area during an altercation, is listed in good condition at Roosevelt County General Hospital, according to hospital administrator James D’Agostino.

“We don’t think it was a fight between (Zapata) and the victim,” Berry said. “We think the victim had a disagreement with another person and Zapata got involved because he knew the other person.”