Man accused of rifle attack in Las Cruces ambush; second suspect still wanted
Authorities say an 18-year-old used an AR-style rifle to strike a man during a March ambush in Las Cruces; a second suspect remains at large.
Prosecutors seek to hold 18-year-old without bond after March assault tied to domestic dispute
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - An 18-year-old El Paso man is accused of using an AR-style rifle to strike a man in the head during an ambush-style assault in Las Cruces last month, while a second suspect remains at large under an active arrest warrant.
Steven Isaiah Flores faces a charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon in connection with the March 13 incident, according to court documents. Prosecutors have filed a motion seeking to hold him without bond pending trial, arguing that no conditions of release would reasonably protect the community. As of Monday morning, no hearing date had been set in District Court.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Doña Ana County Magistrate Court, the victim told deputies he had gone to a residence on South Main Street to retrieve personal belongings from his wife when an argument occurred. After leaving the residence, the victim reported that his vehicle was blocked in by another car.
Two men — identified as Flores and Brian Andrew Goodwin — then exited the vehicle and began attacking him, the complaint states.
The victim told investigators Flores struck him in the head with the buttstock of an AR-style rifle after knocking him to the ground. Both men continued to strike him while he attempted to protect himself, according to the report.
Medical records cited in the complaint indicate the victim suffered a deep laceration to his forehead measuring approximately 4 to 5 centimeters, along with multiple contusions and bite marks to his abdomen and forearm.
Investigators said Goodwin, who is also accused in the assault, bit the victim during the attack. He has been charged with aggravated battery and is currently wanted on an outstanding arrest warrant.
Prosecutors allege Flores later contacted the victim and made statements referencing the attack, including a message asking how it felt to be “jumped,” according to court documents.
Authorities said Flores was on probation in Texas at the time of the incident.
The case remains under investigation.
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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