Las Cruces Police: Man Shoots Friend When He Thinks He Will Keep Money From Alleged Drug Buy

Las Cruces Police have arrested a 26-year-old man who allegedly fired a handgun Saturday evening that injured a friend who was allegedly going to purchase narcotics for him.

Albert Hernandez, of the 1700 block of west Hadley Avenue in Las Cruces, is charged with one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony.

According to Las Cruces Police, Hernandez gave a friend $20 to purchase two oxycodone pills. The friend drove off to purchase the narcotics but noticed Hernandez following him in another vehicle.

Hernandez was under the impression that his friend was going to keep the $20 and fail to return with the oxycodone pills, according to police.

Hernandez pulled alongside his friend’s vehicle on Main Street and allegedly fired one round from a 9 mm handgun that struck the victim’s arm. The victim drove to the Post Office on Las Cruces Avenue and his girlfriend, a passenger in the vehicle, called 911.

The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police located and detained Hernandez at his home, and recovered the gun they believe was used in the shooting. Hernandez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $10,000.