FBI ups reward in '07 Ranger shooting

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The FBI is upping the stakes in the search for the man who shot a Park Ranger nearly five years ago.

They announced the $55,000 reward Friday, hoping the larger incentive would encourage someone to talk.

On December 1, 2007 Park Ranger Alfred Chavez was on his regular patrol at Abiquiu Lake on a Saturday morning.  Chavez noticed a pickup truck in the picnic area and then noticed a secured pump house was open.

Agents say when Chavez approached the pump house, two men came out.  When Chavez asked them what they were doing, one of the men pulled out a revolver and fired.

One round narrowly missed his head and the other hit his leg, causing permanent damage.

Chavez says the men took off in an 1990’s model white Ford pickup with a gray bumper and dented tailgate.

Chavez gave investigators a detailed description of the men but so far they have not tracked down any suspects.

Investigators believe that at the time of the crime the suspects either lived or worked in the area.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Albuquerque FBI at (505)889-1300 (24 hours), or send a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov .