NEWS
13-year-old arrested in Las Cruces shooting
Police say the boy shot another 13-year-old in back of the head, injuring him
Published
A 13-year-old boy is behind bars after allegedly shooting a friend in the back of the head Monday evening in Las Cruces.
Las Cruces police were dispatched about 10:30 p.m. after receiving calls that a teen had been shot at a home in the 2900 block of Petunia Lane, according to a news release posted on the Las Cruces Police Department's Facebook page.
While en route, officers learned that the victim, also 13, was being taken by his parents to a hospital, the release states. He was airlifted to University Medical Center of El Paso in critical condition.
Officers found the suspect near Picacho Middle School, less than a half-mile away from the shooting scene, according to the release.
"The suspect, a frequent runaway who has been known to possess firearms, was located and detained by police soon after the incident," the release states.
LCPD said it will not identify the 13-year-old due to his age. He is charged with negligent use of a deadly weapon and being a minor in possession of a deadly weapon.
"The Juvenile Probation Office has authorized detention of the suspect," according to the release.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
