Las Cruces police and the Officer-involved Incident Task Force are investigating a shooting that claimed the life of an 81-year-old man who fired multiple rounds at police, striking at least one police unit.
Sometime afternoon on Monday, June 8, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of an 81-year-old man with suicidal ideations. As police arrived on the scene, on the 900 blocks of Tornillo Street, officers came under fire from the man who remained inside his residence.
At least one police vehicle was struck by the subject’s gunfire.
Police attempted to make contact with the man and gave several announcements for him to lay down his firearm and exit the residence. All attempts to establish dialogue were unsuccessful.
At some point, the armed man exited the home. Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that three Las Cruces police officers discharged their duty weapons. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. No officers were injured during the incident.
The three LCPD officers who discharged their weapons will be placed on standard administrative leave.
The Officer-involved Incident Task Force is investigating the shooting. The task force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police. Once the investigation is complete, the task force will forward its findings to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office for review.
A New Mexico State Police tactical unit assisted with the callout along with LCPD’s SWAT team, K-9 Unit, Hostage Negotiation Team, and patrol officers.
The incident forced police to temporarily close several residential roadways within the Mesquite Historic District. Most of those roads are now open except for the 900 blocks of Tornillo Street which will be closed for the duration of the on-site investigation.
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A SWAT callout in the Mesquite Historic District has prompted Las Cruces police to close several residential several roadways and a portion of Spruce Avenue between Mesquite Street and Manzanita Street.
Las Cruces police ask motorists and pedestrians to avoid the area until the incident, which began about 1 p.m. Monday, is resolved.
Several neighbors surrounding the 900 blocks of Tornillo Street have been asked to evacuate their homes or shelter in place until the situation has been deemed safe.