LAS CRUCES – A 32-year-old Las Cruces man has been charged after his mother was fatally shot during what investigators say was an attempt to intervene in a family crisis Wednesday evening.
Lawrence Lopez is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, a fourth-degree felony.
According to the Las Cruces Police Department, officers and fire personnel responded about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, to a residence on Los Ranchitos Road after receiving a report of a gunshot victim.
When first responders arrived, they found 58-year-old Tina Lucero suffering from a single gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, Lucero died from her injuries.
Police say the preliminary investigation indicates Lopez had threatened to commit suicide and displayed a handgun in front of his mother. Investigators believe Lucero attempted to physically intervene to prevent her son from harming himself. During a struggle over the firearm, one round was discharged, striking Lopez in the hand before fatally wounding Lucero.
Lopez was taken into custody at the scene and transported to a local hospital for treatment of his hand injury. Authorities say he remains hospitalized and will be booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center once he is medically cleared.
The investigation is ongoing.
All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications – John@BravoMic.com