Police arrest murder suspect after standoff on west Picacho

SWAT team takes 35-year-old into custody following deadly shooting near 17th Street

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - Las Cruces police have arrested a man suspected of fatally shooting 29-year-old Juan Javier Lujan Garces near the intersection of west Picacho Avenue and north 17th Street on the morning of Tuesday, June 10.

The suspect, 35-year-old Pancho Garcia, was taken into custody after barricading himself inside a first-floor motel room for several hours. He has been charged with an open count of murder and is being held without bond at the Doña Ana County Detention Center.

Police responded to the area shortly after 8:30 a.m. June 10 following reports of gunfire. They found Lujan Garces in his vehicle with at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts at life-saving aid.

Garcia reportedly fled the scene and barricaded himself inside a nearby motel room. Police established a perimeter, activated SWAT and hostage negotiation teams, and evacuated nearby residents while advising others to shelter in place.

After repeated attempts to contact Garcia, SWAT officers breached a window around 11:30 a.m. Garcia surrendered shortly afterward without further incident. No shots were fired by police, and no additional injuries were reported.

A section of Picacho Avenue was temporarily closed during the Tuesday-morning standoff.