Below is an update on the Ft. Bliss soldier Gerald Palanco that murdered a local boy on his way to school:

Spc. Gerald Polanco, the Fort Bliss soldier suspected of shooting and killing an 18-year-old Chapin High School student, has been charged with murder, military officials said Tuesday.

Polanco, 37, alleged shot and killed Chapin senior Ezra Gerald Smith while he was riding his bike to school. He also is charged with attempted murder in the wounding of another soldier.

Polanco did not show up for formation with his unit 24 hours before the shootings, said Col. Edward Manning, Fort Bliss garrison commander. This led to another charge against him being absent without leave from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division.

Fort Bliss officials again declined to answer questions about the circumstances of the shooting. Manning would not say what type of weapon was used, nor would he describe the injuries Smith or the other soldier received.

Polanco was being held at the Otero County Jail. He is to appear at a pretrial confinement hearing in about a week.  [El Paso Times]