Murder suspect arrested in connection to Las Cruces shooting on Picacho Ave.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KRQE) — The Las Cruces Police Department has taken a murder suspect into custody following a deadly shooting on Tuesday. Police say Pancho Garcia, 35, has been booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center where he is being charged with an open count of murder.
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Slightly after 8:30 a.m., police and fire were dispatched to the intersection of Picacho and 17th Street in response to shots fired. First responders found Juan Javier Lujan Garces, 29, in his vehicle with at least one gunshot wound. Garces was pronounced dead on the scene.
Police say Garcia barricaded himself in a first-floor room of a motel in the 1700 block of west Picacho Avenue following the shooting. A perimeter was set up. Las Cruces police activated its SWAT and hostage negotiation teams. Nearby residents were asked to evacuate and residents who lived further away were asked to shelter in place.
Multiple attempts were made to contact Garcia, according to police. SWAT team members breached a window at about 11:30 a.m. Garcia left the room shortly after and was taken into custody. Police say no shots were fired by police and no other injuries were reported. West Picacho Avenue is now clear and open to traffic.
Garcia is currently being held without bond.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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