A Las Cruces man suspected of using a hammer to critically injure his stepfather on Friday has been charged with attempted murder.
Alejandro Nevarez, 28, of the 1100 block of Lees Drive, is charged with a second-degree felony count of attempted murder, a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery against a household member and a fourth-degree felony count of tampering with evidence.
About 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a man who was critically injured by his stepson at a home on the 1100 block of Lees Drive. Officers arrived to find a 56-year-old man with severe injuries to his head. The victim was transported to University Medical Center of El Paso.
The victim remains hospitalized Monday in critical condition.
Investigators learned Nevarez was challenging his stepfather to a fight and threatening to injure him late Friday afternoon. Sometime prior to 5:30 p.m., investigators believe, Nevarez followed his stepfather outside and used a hammer to strike his head multiple times. Nevarez’s mother indicated she went to the backyard and saw her husband injured, on the ground with her son standing over him and holding a hammer.
Nevarez fled the home before police arrived, but officers located him at a nearby abandoned residence. He was taken into custody without further incident. Investigators believe Nevarez discarded the hammer when he fled from the home.
Nevarez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.