Las Cruces police continue looking for the man believed to be responsible for Tuesday evening’s fatal shooting at a drive-in restaurant on Foothills Road.
About 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2025, Las Cruces police and fire were dispatched to the report of shots fired at the Sonic Drive-in, 3471 Foothills Rd. Crews arrived to find 20-year-old Benjamin Hernandez, an employee, suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Hernandez was pronounced deceased on the scene.
Investigators learned Hernandez and another employee, 21-year-old Luciano Roman Valente Frias, got into an argument or altercation inside the restaurant. At some point Frias produced a handgun and discharged at least one round, striking Hernandez.
Frias fled from the restaurant on foot.
Police are continuing their investigation and are actively searching for Frias. Frias is about 5-feet-5-inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds.
Anyone with information on this incident, or the whereabouts of 21-year-old Luciano Roman Valente Frias, is asked to call police at (575) 526-0795.