Law enforcement officers are still looking for Alejandro Azteca, who is suspected of shooting Phillip Pardo outside an apartment complex in the 3900 block of Forest Ave. on May 21. But a second suspect in the case, charged with burglary and related misdemeanors, appeared in Barton County District Court on Friday.
The attorney for Pablo Nunez asked that his client have his bond reduced from $5,000 to an own-recognizance bond, since his family has been unable to pay for his bond. The request was denied by District Judge Ron Svaty after listening to objections from County Attorney Douglas Matthews that alluded to the shooting.
Nunez has been in jail since June 11 when he turned himself in after hearing police were looking for him, defense attorney Kent Roth said. His trial is set for Nov. 3-4, for charges of burglary of a motor vehicle and misdemeanor theft, battery and criminal damage to property, all said to have occurred on May 21.
Matthews objected to a bond modification, noting Nunez has a criminal record dating back to a juvenile case in 2008.
“I regard Mr. Nunez as a violent individual,” Matthews said, noting a “gang sign” tattoo on the defendant’s face and his prior history, including failing to appear in court on at least one occasion.
“The State is objecting strenuously to an O-R bond.”
Matthews also said there may be a connection between Nunez and another man suspected of shooting someone, although he did not go into detail about the May 21 shooting. “We believe he (the shooting suspect) has fled the state.”

Forest Ave. shooting
Nunez is charged with burglarizing a women’s car, stealing and damaging her cell phone, and battering Phillip Pardo, all on May 21.
Police announced they were looking for Nunez and Azteca on June 2. Here is a summary of police news releases from May and June as reported in the Great Bend Tribune:
At 9:55 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, Great Bend Police officers were dispatched to an apartment complex in the 3900 block of Forest Avenue, where they found 35-year-old Phillip Pardo who had been shot during an altercation in the parking lot. However, the shooter had fled the scene before the officers arrived.
Evidence at the scene indicated multiple gunshots were fired during the fight.
Pardo was taken to Great Bend Regional Hospital by Great Bend Fire Department Emergency Medical Service personnel. He was later transported to a Wichita hospital in serious condition.
Meanwhile, shortly after the report of the gunshot, officers were dispatched to a residence several blocks away from the apartments. Residents there said they had found two men in their front yard.
Believing the suspects were trying to break into the home, a man in the house went out on the front porch with a gun to confront them. The men ran southeast along the railroad tracks and officers believe that this was related to the shooting call.
As for the two men, Police Chief Cliff Couch said there was probably only one shooter. However, he likely had an accomplice who will face charges as well.
After a lengthy investigation by the Great Bend Police Detective Division assisted by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the case was forwarded to the Barton County Attorney’s office for review and a charging decision on May 26.
Warrants were issued for two suspects and these descriptions were released:
“Alejandro Azteca, Hispanic male with brown hair and brown eyes, 220 pounds and 5 foot 8 inches. He is charged with two counts attempted second degree murder, aggravated battery and criminal damage to property.
The second suspect is identified as Pablo Alfonso Nunez, Hispanic male with Black hair and brown eyes, 120 pounds and 5 foot 1 inch. He is charged with battery, burglary of a motor vehicle, theft and criminal damage to property.”
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the GBPD detective unit, 620-793-4120 or Crime Stoppers, 620-792-1300.