LAS CRUCES, N.M. — On Thursday, the Las Cruces Police Department held a news conference to release more information surrounding an incident where police shot a suspect on Thursday, March 13.
The shooting occurred shortly before 7 pm on Thursday on the 800 block of South Main Street in Las Cruces.
The suspect, 19-year-old Gabriel Padilla, was struck by gunfire at least once and rushed to the hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition. Once Padilla is released from the hospital, he will be booked into Dona Ana County Detention Center.
Padilla is being charged with one count each of aggravated assault on a police officer, negligent use of a deadly weapon, and resisting, evading, or obstructing an officer.
The officer, who has not yet been named, is a lateral transfer who began working with LCPD in August 2021. He has seven years of experience as a law enforcement officer. After the shooting last Thursday, he was placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol for an incident such as this.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.