Man charged in Anthony killing was already accused in earlier shooting, records show
A Doña Ana County man charged in a fatal Anthony shooting was already facing a prior gun case, according to court records and witness statements.
Witnesses say Axel Herrera Munoz was not involved in an argument before he walked up and fatally shot Joseph Ramirez; prosecutors cite earlier bar shooting in push to keep him jailed
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - A Doña Ana County man is facing a first-degree murder charge after investigators say he shot and killed another man during a gathering at an Anthony residence Saturday, March 21.
Axel Fabian Herrera Munoz, 25, is accused of killing Joseph Ramirez at a home on Bullock Road. Authorities allege Herrera Munoz approached Ramirez and shot him once at close range, striking him in the neck and killing him, according to a criminal complaint.
Witnesses describe sudden shooting
According to the statement of probable cause, deputies were dispatched to the residence after reports of an unresponsive man lying in a driveway. When law enforcement arrived, they found Ramirez on the ground with a gunshot wound. A spent shell casing and a knife were located nearby, investigators wrote.
Multiple witnesses told investigators they saw Herrera Munoz with a handgun during the gathering and identified him as the only person armed that night. One witness reported seeing him walk up to Ramirez and fire a single shot.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene, with Ramirez arguing with another person when Herrera Munoz — who was not involved in the confrontation — walked up and shot him at close range, according to the complaint.
After the shooting, Herrera Munoz allegedly told witnesses he was “tired of this s--t” and warned them not to speak about what happened, according to the complaint.
Prior shooting case pending
Court records show Herrera Munoz was already facing a pending felony case involving a separate shooting at the time of Ramirez’s death.
In that case, Herrera Munoz is accused of shooting Gabriel Lucero in the head during a November 2025 altercation in the parking lot of Whiskey Dicks in Las Cruces. Lucero survived the shooting.
According to court filings, witnesses in the November incident told investigators Lucero had been involved in a physical fight before he was shot as he attempted to flee. One witness later identified Herrera Munoz as the shooter in a photo lineup and reported that he said he “should have done a better job” after the shooting.
Prosecutors cite danger to community
Prosecutors have filed motions seeking to keep Herrera Munoz in custody in both cases, arguing he poses a danger to the community and to witnesses.
In the November case, prosecutors wrote that Herrera Munoz approached the victim and shot him in the head before fleeing the scene.
A pretrial risk assessment tool recommended Herrera Munoz be released on his own recognizance, but prosecutors in both cases have asked the court to keep him in custody, citing the severity of the allegations and concerns about public safety.
A hearing to review conditions of release in the November shooting case is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, March 27, before Magistrate Judge Bryan M. Gelecki in Doña Ana County Magistrate Court.
A separate detention hearing in the Anthony homicide case is set for Wednesday, April 1, before District Judge Conrad Perea in 3rd Judicial District Court.
Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.
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