The Las Cruces Police Department will hold a news conference at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 20, to provide information on the Officer Involved Shooting that occurred Thursday, March 13 on the 800 block of south Main. The news conference will be held in Council Chambers at Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St. and will be livestreamed on youtube.com/@LasCrucesGov.
Police were called to the report of a man armed with a gun on the 500 block of south Main Street. The first officer to arrive located a suspect who led police on a short foot pursuit. During the pursuit at least one round was discharged and struck the suspect. The suspect went to the ground on the 800 block of south Main Street and police located a firearm near where the man fell.
The suspect was detained and transported to a local hospital. He is in stable condition. Gabriel Padilla, 19, has been charged with Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer (Deadly Weapon), Negligent Use of a Deadly Weapon, and Resisting Evading or Obstructing an Officer.
Police believe there may be witnesses to this incident. Anyone who may have witnessed any part of this incident is asked to call (575) 526-0795.
The Officer Involved Incident Task Force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police. The task force collects evidence, conducts interviews and is responsible for investigating this incident.
