New Mexico hunting ranch guides accused of not protecting guests

Two New Mexico hunting guides, along with a Presidio County, Texas hunting ranch, have all been sued for negligence by a Florida chiropractor. The plaintiff is suing them collectively for $1 million after he was shot as he slept in his motorhome along the United States-Mexican border on the evening of January 6, 2017.

According to the plaintiff, he'd been warned of a number of recent burglaries in the area as he headed off to sleep in the motorhome he'd rented for accommodations during his hunting trip at the Circle Dug Ranch. He had been told that it would be best to sleep with his gun next to him in case someone tried to break in.

In the middle of the night, the chiropractor contends that he awoke to someone trying to open the door to his motorhome. He claims that he announced that he was going to shoot if the individual did not move on. He contends that a person responded that they were going to "take the motorhome".

When the shaking didn't subside, the chiropractor reportedly made three more warnings before shooting through the door. It's then that he reportedly attempted to move the motorhome to a safer area, but was struck by two shots. He alleges that they were fired by the hunting guides.

One guide suffered a shot wound to the chest, which he claimed was made by a Mexican national. A later investigation showed no border traffic that night. Ballistic testing showed that the bullet likely came from one of the guide's weapons.

The owners of Circle Dug Ranch were sued for negligence after it became clear that they were aware of burglaries in the area, but failed to take any measures to prevent them. The plaintiffs accuse the guides of failing to identify the occupants of the motorhome before shooting and for not creating a safe setting for their paying guests.

Redwing Outfitters stands accused of failing to appropriately hire and train employees.

The chiropractor claims that he's suffered significant physical pain and disfigurement as a result of having been shot. He notes that both he and his wife have also been mentally tormented and have experienced a loss of affection as a result of the incident as well.

If you've been hurt on someone else's property, then a Los Lunas premises liability attorney can advise you of your right to sue.

Source: Big Bend Now, "New Mexico hunters, ranch sued by wounded Florida chiropractor," Josh Daniel Garcia, March 15, 2018