Las Cruces police have arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of shooting his teenage friend after the two conspired to steal firearms from someone’s home.
Evan Gabriel Martinez is charged with felony counts of attempted murder and tampering with evidence. He was arrested Monday and is currently being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
About 2:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, Las Cruces police were dispatched to an area near the intersection of Galina Drive and Arena Drive where a 15-year-old boy was suffering from a gunshot wound. The boy was transported to University Medical Center of El Paso with serious injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
Investigators learned Martinez and the 15-year-old boy were friends and had been planning to commit a residential burglary to steal firearms. Martinez and the boy met up before the planned burglary and that’s when the teenager was shot once.
Martinez fled the area but was later located at his father’s home on the 3700 block of Agate Street. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Detectives are continuing their investigation into this case.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795.
\n