Las Cruces man accused of firing gun during house party shooting incident
Las Cruces police say a 19-year-old man fired toward a vehicle during a late-night shooting outside a house party near Chinook and Mohican.
Police say 19-year-old fired toward vehicle after gunfire erupted outside gathering near Chinook and Mohican
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - A 19-year-old is accused of firing a handgun during a late-night shooting incident outside a Las Cruces house party earlier this month, according to court records obtained by Organ Mountain News.
Noel Varela faces a fourth-degree felony charge of shooting at or from a motor vehicle in connection with the April 19 incident near Chinook and Mohican.
According to a criminal complaint and statement of probable cause, Las Cruces police responded to reports of shots fired in the area around 2:25 a.m. Sunday. Officers later spoke with a resident who said her daughter had hosted a house party that night.
Investigators allege Varela arrived at the gathering with a handgun equipped with a green laser and became involved in a confrontation with another group of individuals.
Witnesses told police that after the group left the residence, someone in a white vehicle began firing shots into the air as it drove away. Varela then went into the street and fired toward the vehicle, according to the statement.
Multiple witnesses identified Varela as being present during the incident, and police used Ring doorbell footage from the residence to help confirm his identity, records show.
Authorities allege Varela left the scene in a separate vehicle with others after the shooting.
A judge found probable cause for the charge on Wednesday and issued an arrest warrant. Jail records show Varela was booked Thursday into the Doña Ana County Detention Center and is initially being held without bond, pending a first appearance before a judge.
No injuries were reported in the documents reviewed by Organ Mountain News.
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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