Affidavit states a 15-year-old relative also discharged a firearm during the Feb. 25 exchange

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Court records allege five males were involved in a shootout Wednesday evening at a Vado car wash, including a 21-year-old man now facing felony charges and a 15-year-old relative who investigators say also discharged a firearm.

Francisco Longoria Mata, 21, of Vado, is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to a criminal complaint filed in Doña Ana County Magistrate Court.

The charges stem from a Feb. 25 shooting at the Vado Car Wash on Vado Drive. A Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office detective wrote in a statement of probable cause that deputies were dispatched around 7:16 p.m. to reports of a gunshot victim.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video provided by the car wash owner, which allegedly showed five male subjects involved in an altercation in which firearms were used, court records state.

According to the affidavit, Longoria and a 15-year-old relative were inside a white pickup truck before the confrontation escalated. The detective wrote that video footage shows both individuals later discharging firearms during the exchange.

Court documents identify Rigoberto Hernandez as the alleged victim of the aggravated assault and aggravated battery charges. The affidavit states Hernandez was armed and returned fire during the incident.

Deputies recovered multiple shell casings at the scene, including .22 caliber and 9mm rounds, according to the probable cause statement. Blood was also observed at the car wash.

The affidavit states the 15-year-old relative was injured during the exchange and transported for medical treatment. Hernandez underwent surgery and was unconscious when investigators attempted to obtain a statement, court records state.

Sheriff’s officials initially described the incident as a trauma call on Fuentes Lane involving a 14-year-old who was airlifted to a hospital and listed in stable condition. Court records filed later describe a 15-year-old relative who was transported for medical treatment, and identify him as “approximately 15.”

According to the complaint, the contributing to the delinquency of a minor charge alleges Longoria encouraged or aided the 15-year-old relative in the commission of the offense.

Longoria was arrested early Feb. 26 and booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center. Court records show a review of conditions of release hearing is scheduled for March 2 in Magistrate Court.

Search warrants were later executed at a residence on Fuentes Road and at another residence in Anthony, where investigators recovered magazines, ammunition and a face mask believed to be connected to the shooting, according to the affidavit.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. He can be reached at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or on X at @damienwillis.