Police say the victim was shot in the head at a home on Petunia Lane and airlifted to El Paso; suspect faces weapons charges

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A 13-year-old boy was critically injured in a shooting Monday evening at a home on the 2900 block of Petunia Lane, and another 13-year-old has been arrested, according to Las Cruces police.

The boy who was shot suffered a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Emergency crews airlifted him to University Medical Center of El Paso, where he remains in critical condition.

Police say the suspect, also 13, shot the victim and left the scene. Officers located and detained the suspect near Picacho Middle School shortly after the incident.

Officers responded just before 10:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, to a report of a gunshot victim at a home on Petunia Lane. While en route, police learned the victim’s parents were driving him to the hospital.

Officers met the vehicle on Picacho Avenue, where police, fire and ambulance personnel provided medical aid before transporting the boy for an airlift to El Paso.

Police say the suspect, whom they are not identifying because of his age, faces charges of negligent use of a deadly weapon and minor in possession of a deadly weapon. The Juvenile Probation Office authorized detention.

Investigators have recovered the firearm believed to have been used in the shooting. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible.