Homeowner fatally shoots intruder through barricaded bedroom door — then cops make disturbing discovery



Officers in Hobbs, New Mexico, responded to the 2100 block of North Rojo early Friday morning in reference to a report of breaking and entering, police said. Hobbs is located about two miles west of the Texas border and just under two hours southwest of Lubbock.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers determined that 38-year-old Curtis Thames of Hobbs forced entry into a residence.

The police department's news release on the incident does not include a cause of death for Thames' mother.

The homeowners, armed with a gun, barricaded themselves in a bedroom, police said. Soon, one of the homeowners fired a round through the bedroom door, striking Thames, police said. Thames died at a local hospital, police said.

Police also were told that Thames’ mother, Kristie Thames, resides with him in a neighboring home. Officers tried to make contact with Thames' mother but were unsuccessful, police said.

To ensure her welfare, police said officers forced entry into the home and found her dead in a bedroom. The police department's news release on the incident does not include a cause of death for Thames' mother.

Police said those who have information regarding the incident can call dispatch at 575-397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at 575-393-8005. Callers may be eligible for a cash reward, police said, adding that individuals also can message privately on Facebook.

How are people reacting?

Commenters on the police department's Facebook post about the incident offered a range of reactions. Here are a few of them:

  • "This is why we have the 2nd Amendment," one commenter said.
  • "Prayers to the people who had to make the decision ... they probably didn’t want to ever have to make, the officers and other first responders who were involved, and the families and friends of those whose lives will be forever impacted," another user wrote.
  • "Hope the DA doesn't charge the homeowner with manslaughter for defending himself," another commenter opined. "She is known for charging innocent people who use self defense."
  • "Good job for the homeowner!" another user declared. "Sounds like it was the last thing they wanted to do, but they were protecting their property and family."

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Arizona Governor Hobbs ‘unlawfully’ changed election rules: Lawsuit



The Republican Party of Arizona filed a lawsuit against Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D) on Thursday, claiming that two of her executive orders “unlawfully” and “unilaterally” altered the state’s existing election laws.

Arizona GOP chair Gina Swoboda sued Hobbs over Executive Order 23, Authorizing the Use of State Facilities as Voting Locations, and Executive Order 25, Facilitating Voter Registration.

'Blatant overreach of her authority.'

Hobbs issued the orders in November 2023. Executive Order 23 designated the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, as well as other state-run agencies, as ballot drop-off locations. Executive Order 25 designated those state departments as “Voter Registration Assistance Agencies” that are to “distribute voter registration forms, assist applicants in completing voter registration forms, and accept completed voter registration forms.”

According to the lawsuit, Hobbs “exceeded, and is therefore unlawfully exercising, her authority as Governor, in issuing EO 23 and EO 25.” It argued that both executive actions are “unconstitutional and void.”

“Petitioners seek to enjoin Governor Hobbs from enforcing EO 23 and EO 25 on the grounds they exceed the powers granted her by the Arizona Constitution and Arizona statutes, violate the separation of powers regarding the Legislature’s authority to enact election laws; and usurp the powers lawfully granted to the Secretary of State regarding the designation of Voter Registration Agencies and county recorders regarding ballot drop-off locations,” the complaint read. “EO 23 and EO 25 are contrary to law because, in issuing these executive orders, the Governor usurped the authority of the Legislature by unilaterally changed duly-enacted election laws.”

It noted that the orders fail to address other “important issues,” including “where to store completed ballots until they can be sent to the appropriate election officials or keeping a chain-of-custody log for these completed ballots.”

The lawsuit, which was filed directly with the Arizona Supreme Court, requests that the court declare the two executive actions unconstitutional, prevent Hobbs from enforcing the orders, and “issue a writ of quo warranto to prohibit Governor Hobbs from unlawfully exercising authority she lacks to change election laws.”

In a video posted to X, Swoboda explained, “The governor’s office does not have the authority, under the constitution or under any statutory authority, to designate voter registration agencies and definitely not to designate ballot drop-off locations or voting locations.”

She called the governor’s actions a “blatant overreach of her authority,” the Arizona Capitol Times reported.

Liliana Soto, a Hobbs press aide, told the news outlet that the lawsuit was “frivolous” and claimed the governor was using her “lawful authority” to protect voting rights.

Hobbs’ general counsel, Bo Dul, argued that the executive orders “further the important goals of increasing Arizonans’ access to voter registration.”

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Court rules Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs broke the law in order to empower her henchmen



Just months after Republicans expressed concern over Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs' apparent willingness to "circumvent the laws of this state, the Democratic governor realized their fears, violating the law and unilaterally appointing 13 of her henchmen to lead state agencies.

A judge said as much in his Wednesday ruling, indicating that when Hobbs failed to legally get her way, she elected instead to run roughshod over Arizona law.

Frustrated by checks and balances

By law, the governor's Cabinet nominees can only be appointed with the consent of the Republican-controlled Arizona Senate.

The Senate's Committee on Director Nominations, led by state Sen. Jake Hoffman (R) and established last year to "evaluate executive nominations," grilled 11 of Hobbs' 22 nominees, approved seven, and rejected a handful, including pandemic shutdown champion Theresa Cullen.

Hoffman indicated in February 2023, "Now, make no mistake, this is a check on executive authority, but that is exactly what the legislature is supposed to do," reported the Arizona Mirror.

'Hobbs is the only person to blame for her nominees struggling to succeed under actual due diligence.'

Unwilling to put up with scrutiny from a co-equal branch of government, Hobbs withdrew her agency director nominations last fall, including her partisan nominees for the Arizona Department of Economic Security, the Department of Child Safety, the Department of Housing, the Department of Gaming, and the Department of Administration.

Hoffman called the move a "temper tantrum," suggesting in a statement that "Hobbs is the only person to blame for her nominees struggling to succeed under actual due diligence."

Hobbs told the president of the Arizona Senate, Warren Petersen (R), in a Sept. 25, 2023, letter that it had "become apparent over the past nine months that the Senate's process for reviewing and confirming agency director nominees has devolved into a sad display of partisan obstructionism."

Hobbs accused Petersen and his peers of engaging in a "political circus" and demonstrating an unwillingness to "carry out a valid process."

The Democrat then proceeded to engage in an invalid process all her own.

Circumventing the law

Upon withdrawing her 13 nominees, Hobbs branded those lawmakers who would dare evaluate her nominees as "extremists" and noted on X that she aimed to "pursue other lawful means of ensuring the state government can work for Arizonans."

'This move by the Executive Branch showcases another prime example of an elected official who believes they're above the law.'

The Democratic governor proceeded to nominate Ben Henderson to serve as interim director of 12 of the 13 agencies at issue for the purpose of enabling herself to appoint the withdrawn nominees as executive deputy directors of the agencies. Hobbs then instructed Henderson to "ratify and confirm" the deputies prior to resigning as interim director for each agency.

Hobbs made her 13 appointments on Sept. 25, 2023, and all were installed as de facto agency heads.

Petersen, who ultimately sued Hobbs over the scheme, said in a statement, "This move by the Executive Branch showcases another prime example of an elected official who believes they're above the law and will go to extreme measures to bypass the requirements of the law when they don’t get their way," reported the Arizona Mirror.

'The Governor willfully circumvented that statutory process.'

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) meanwhile defended Hobbs' play, stating that she was "well within her right to move forward with other legal means of keeping state government functioning and working for the people or Arizona."

"No law prohibits the Governor from withdrawing a person's nomination for an agency director and re-appointing him or her as a deputy director of that agency," added Mayes.

Judge Scott A. Blaney of the Maricopa County Superior Court was evidently of a different mind.

Hobbs violated Arizona law

In his Wednesday ruling, Judge Blaney reiterated that the law requires that the appointment of a director for each of the 13 agencies requires the consent of the state Senate — something Hobbs did not bother with.

"The Governor willfully circumvented that statutory process and eliminated the Legislative branch from its oversight role," wrote Blaney.

Blaney found that "these 'Executive Deputy Directors' are de facto directors — unilaterally appointed to their leadership positions without Senate oversight in violation of Arizona law."

The court acknowledged that the deputy directors enjoy "all the powers and authorities that the agencies' properly appointed directors would have," have identical reporting chains, and "serve as the leaders of their respective agencies indefinitely at the pleasure of the Governor."

Extra to acknowledging that the Democratic governor made a mockery of the law, Blaney declared that state law still requires the governor to fill the director position lawfully, meaning a return to the senatorial confirmation process.

A separate evidentiary hearing will be scheduled next month or in August to further address the matter of Hobbs' illegitimate agency directors.

State Sen. Hoffman said in a statement in the wake of Hobbs' judicial rebuke, "Today Judge Blaney correctly slapped Katie Hobbs' illegal attempt to circumvent the constitutional check and balance of the senate confirmation process."

"I look forward to continuing our confirmation hearings in the near future now that much needed clarity on the law has been provided by the courts to Hobbs and her staff," continued Hoffman. "If Katie wishes to continue her petulant insults against me and to play petty political games, so be it; but I'm going to continue faithfully fulfilling my duty to the people of this great state to ensure that we have a sane government that works for every Arizonan."

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