The armed robbery suspect who was shot and killed Sunday by a smoke shop employee has been identified as 24-year-old Luciano Acuna.
Las Cruces Police detectives learned that shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Acuna had his face partially covered with a mask and was armed with a shotgun when he entered DCP’s Smoke Shop at 1025 S. Solano Dr. Detectives have reason to believe Acuna pointed the shotgun at one of the employees and demanded cash from the store’s register.
Detectives learned that Acuna became distracted for a brief moment at which time the employee retrieved a handgun and fired multiple shots at the robbery suspect. One of the shots struck Acuna in the head.
The employee who fired the shot and another store employee then left the business through a back door and called 911.
Acuna was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two employees were cooperative with investigators and no charges are expected to be filed against the man who fired the lethal shot. The names of the store employees will not be released.
Acuna was wearing a knit mask, a hoodie and disposable gloves during the failed robbery attempt. Detectives have determined that the shotgun he carried into the store had been reported stolen.
Information from Las Cruces Police