Man arrested after stabbing near McDonald’s

A man has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after stabbing another man, said Taos Police Chief John Wentz.

The Taos Police Department, New Mexico State Police, and officers from Taos Pueblo responded to a report of a stabbing near McDonald’s on Paseo del Pueblo Sur in Taos on Monday (March 7) just prior to 4 p.m. and arrived to find two men fighting, according to a criminal complaint filed in Taos Magistrate Court.

According to Wentz, a Taos County EMS vehicle was flagged down on Paseo del Pueblo Sur by an individual claiming a man had just been stabbed in the vicinity.

Authorities arrived on scene to find the victim, later identified as Santana Concha, 33, who appeared to be suffering several stab wounds. James Simpson, 29, of Ranchos de Taos was identified as the suspect in the stabbing.

Reports over emergency radio channels indicated Concha had likely been stabbed in a lung by a 4-inch blade. According to the criminal complaint, Concha had “multiple stab wounds on the left side of his torso… a laceration on his left arm… and a stab wound on the right side of his torso.”

Concha was transported to Holy Cross Medical Center by EMS. As of press time, the extent of Concha’s injuries were unknown, but Wentz said “it is believed the injuries are not life threatening.”

When questioned on scene, Simpson claimed self defense. The criminal complaint said Simpson told authorities Concha had stolen from him, and that the altercation occurred over an allegedly stolen item, with Simpson defending himself after Concha “hit him with what looked like a silver pipe.”

The fighting continued until Simpson said he “pulled the knife and stabbed [Concha] in self defense,” according to the complaint.

Wentz said their investigation determined that Concha and Simpson were “acquaintances” who were “engaged in a physical altercation over a dispute concerning personal property.”

Simspon has yet to appear before a judge as of press time, but his third degree felony charge is likely to be bound over to the Eighth Judicial District Court.