Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces and Dona Ana County is offering a $1,000 reward for information that helps identify the suspect believed to be responsible for Friday’s road rage shooting that injured a 3-year-old girl.
About 3:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, the occupants of a dark blue Honda Civic got into a road rage altercation with the driver of a black pickup on Amador Avenue near the railroad tracks.
Las Cruces police learned that near the intersection of Amador Avenue and Valley Drive the Honda Civic pulled alongside the pickup. About that time, the passenger of the Civic pointed a firearm at the pickup and discharged at least one round. Gunfire struck the 3-year-old girl who was a backseat passenger of the pickup.
The driver of the pickup, the girl’s father, rushed his daughter to MountainView Regional Medical Center where she initially received care. The young victim was airlifted to University Medical Center in serious condition. She remains hospitalized on Saturday and her condition appears to be stable.
The Honda Civic was last seen heading west on Amador Avenue. The Civic is described as dark blue in color with a temporary or dealer’s tag. Police have obtained photos of the Honda Civic and hope someone can identify its owner or its location.
The woman driving the Civic is described as Hispanic with dark hair. Her passenger, the man who discharged the firearm, was described as Hispanic with a light complexion.
It’s possible the owner or driver of the Honda Civic will try to conceal the vehicle in a garage, under a tarp or in a backyard. It’s also possible the suspects may break previously scheduled plans, not go into work or otherwise change their routine to avoid driving the Civic.
Anyone with information that can help identify the man believed to be responsible for this shooting, or the possible location of the blue Honda Civic, is asked to call 911 immediately. Tips can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be provided through the Las Cruces Crime Stoppers app, “P3 TIPS.” The app is available through the App Store on most devices.