LAS CRUCES – Las Cruces police have arrested a 19-year-old man believed to be responsible for an April 1 shooting on north Miranda Street that left an 18-year-old injured during what investigators described as a botched vape sale.
Titus Josiah McGaw Bulger, 19, is charged with felony counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle causing great bodily harm, attempted armed robbery and receiving a stolen firearm, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. April 1, 2026, on the 1100 block of north Miranda Street. Detectives learned the 18-year-old victim had agreed to meet Bulger to sell disposable vape cartridges containing tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly known as THC, as well as nicotine products.
Investigators said Bulger walked across the street to the victim’s pickup truck and, after a brief conversation, attempted to steal the cartridges. Police believe Bulger then fired two shots into the vehicle, striking the victim in the face.
Authorities said Bulger fled toward a nearby apartment complex while the victim drove away from the scene and crashed into a nearby canal. The victim was transported to University Medical Center of El Paso for treatment. Police said the victim’s injuries were serious but not considered life-threatening.
Detectives reported the victim did not know Bulger personally except through prior social media interactions. Investigators gained access to the victim’s phone, located the suspect’s social media accounts and used surveillance camera images to identify Bulger as the suspect.
Bulger was arrested April 21 and booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center, where he is initially being held without bond.
All persons mentioned in today’s report are innocent until proven guilty by a court.
By John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications, LLC
john@bravomic.com
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