Las Cruces police and the Officer-involved Incident Task Force are investigating a shooting that occurred shortly before 10 p.m. Friday and resulted in injuries to a 29-year-old man.
Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that a Las Cruces police officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a man riding a mountain bike near the intersection of Alamo Street and Chaparro Street. The bicyclist did not stop for the officer resulting in a pursuit that proceeded south toward Gardner Avenue.
Investigators believe the bicyclist stopped on Chaparro, just north of Gardner. Investigators have learned that a second LCPD officer was also at the final stop. Investigators believe that at least one round was fired by an officer and the bicyclist was struck in his torso.
Officers administered first aid until Las Cruces firefighters arrived and took over emergency treatment. The suspect was transported to Mountainview Regional Medical Center where he is being treated for his injuries.
The two LCPD officers were not seriously injured during the incident.
Investigators located what appears to be a handgun at the scene, near the bicycle.
As is standard protocol for such an incident, the officer who fired his duty weapon will be placed on administrative duty.
The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Officer-involved Incident Task Force which includes detectives from New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State University Police and the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office.
Information from Las Cruces Police