NMSU police search for suspected arsonist after multiple fires reported on campus
NMSU police say a woman is suspected of setting multiple fires on campus within 24 hours, including damage to palm trees and a building.
Three fires involving palm trees and a campus building were reported within about 24 hours
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State University police are searching for a suspected arsonist after multiple fires were reported across campus within about a 24-hour period.
According to NMSU Police, as first reported by KRWG, investigators believe an unidentified woman set three fires in separate locations on campus. The fires were reported early Sunday and Monday, prompting a campus safety alert.
The first fire was reported around 5:50 a.m. Sunday, when a palm tree was found burning behind the Delta Zeta sorority house. A second fire involving a palm tree was reported around 3:30 a.m. Monday near the Hardman Jacobs Undergraduate Learning Center.
Around that same time, a third fire was reported between Branson Library and Foster Hall, where flames damaged two palm trees and a window, according to NMSU Police.
Investigators believe the same person is responsible for all three fires. Police described the suspect as a white woman with short hair, who had not been located as of Tuesday.
NMSU Police said the fires remain under investigation and that officers are increasing patrols across campus.
NMSU Police are asking anyone with information about the fires to come forward. The department can be reached at 575-646-3311. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Las Cruces at 1-800-222-8477 or through the P3 Tips app. Tips can also be emailed to police@nmsu.edu.
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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