A man suspected of discharging a handgun at a former friend in March has been arrested and charged with a trio of felonies.
Andrew Jerome Maldonado, 26, of the 5400 block of Peachtree Hills Road, is charged with three fourth-degree felonies including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, tampering with evidence and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Las Cruces police investigators learned the incident occurred on March 11 at 900 E. Madrid Ave. Police learned Maldonado chased after a former friend and discharged a .40 caliber handgun toward him at close range. Miraculously, the victim was not struck by the gunfire and escaped injury.
Maldonado reportedly ran north, toward Apodaca Park, and a witness saw him hide something in some weeds near a fence line. Officers located a .40 caliber semiautomatic handgun at that location.
LCPD investigators obtained a warrant for Maldonado’s arrest. He was located Tuesday afternoon at the Super 8 Motel at 245 La Posada Ln. Las Cruces police made several attempts at communicating with Maldonado, but he was uncooperative and remained inside a third-floor room. Motel guests were asked to temporarily evacuate the motel and LCPD’s SWAT team was activated. Maldonado was taken into custody shortly after 6 p.m.
Maldonado was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.