June 02, 2012 — Originally published in the Elko Daily Free Press
DA files murder charges against Patrick Dunn as a PDF
ELKO — Patrick Dunn told investigators he tried to dispose of the gun he used to shoot Erik Espitia during an altercation early on May 27, according to court records.
The narrative of the alleged murder of Erik Espitia was filed at the Elko County Justice Court Friday afternoon, including a narrative of events according to witnesses.
The Prelude
Two groups left two different bars shortly before 3:15 a.m. Sunday, according to the investigation by Elko police detective Dennis Price.
The group leaving Cantina La Hurrabura was composed of Erik Espitia, Salvador Espitia, Raul Perez-Munoz and Esther Espitia.
The other group, leaving the Tiki Hut, was composed of Patrick Dunn, Chance Creamer, Brandon Evans and Angela Evans.
Brandon Evans was flown to Salt Lake City for injuries he suffered during the alleged fight that followed, according to police.
The two groups walked toward their respective cars, in the downtown parking corridor near the 400 block of Railroad Street.
When the groups got near to each other, “words were spoken which eventually led to a confrontation between the two groups of people,” according to the court documents.
The view from the car
Angela Evans, part of the group leaving the Tiki Hut, told investigators that she was there when the fight started and at one point “she attempted to intervene in an altercation” between Patrick Dunn and another person.
She was thrown to the ground after attempting to intercede in the fight Dunn was involved in, according to court records.
Angela Evans then “took a seat in the rear driver’s side passenger seat.”
She then heard a gun shot come from the rear of the car.
From the side
According to Salvador Espitia’s narrative, he was fighting Chance Creamer and “at one point he had Mr. Creamer pinned up against a vehicle.”
Creamer and Salvador Espitia agreed to stop fighting and watched Dunn go to the vehicle and retrieve the .40-caliber pistol.
Salvador Espitia grabbed Dunn by the hair, according to court records.
Dunn pointed the gun at Salvador Espitia. Salvador Espitia let go of Dunn’s hair.
Suspect told police
Patrick Dunn told investigators he “became involved in an altercation” with Erik Espitia. Dunn told investigators he was either fighting three or four individuals or there were three or four individuals fighting.
Dunn said he was kicked to the ground and, at one point, got up and “lost his snap,” according to court records.
Dunn told police he went to his vehicle, grabbed his gun, cocked it and fired it at Espitia.
He said he did not remember he or Espitia speaking prior to him shooting the gun.
Tossing the gun
When the investigator asked Dunn where the gun was, he said he had “taken it ‘into the hills’ and ‘tossed’ it under a tree.”
Dunn went with the investigators and showed them the area in which he threw the gun.
Detectives found the gun and a nylon holster.
The aftermath
Elko District Attorney Mark Torvinen charged Dunn with open murder with the use of a deadly weapon, assault with a deadly weapon and attempted willful destruction of evidence of the commission of a felony.
He is not eligible for bail.
Espitia is survived by his wife, three children and unborn child, as well as brothers, cousins and mother, according to a message on a memorial in the downtown corridor.
A car wash in the Red Lion parking lot will be held today, from noon to 4 p.m., to raise money for his family and for his final expenses.
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