Las Cruces Police release name of robbery suspect killed by smoke shop employee
Update: The armed robbery suspect who was shot and killed Sunday by a smoke shop employee has been identified as 24-year-old Luciano Acuna, according to Las Cruces Police.
Las Cruces Police say that shortly befor e 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, Acuna had his face partially covered with a mask and was armed with a shotgun when he entered DCP’s Smoke Shop in the 1000 block of S. Solano Dr.
Detectives have reason to believe Acuna pointed the shotgun at one of the employees and demanded cash from the store’s register, police said.
Acuna became distracted for a moment and the employee retrieved a handgun and fired multiple shots at the robbery suspect with one of the shots hitting Acuna in the head.
The employee who fired the shot and another store employee then left the business through a back door and called 911.
Acuna was pronounced dead at the scene.
The two employees were cooperative with investigators and no charges are expected to be filed against the man who fired the lethal shot.
Police say the names of the store employees will not be released.
Acuna was wearing a knit mask, a hoodie and disposable gloves during the failed robbery attempt, according to police.
Detectives have determined that the shotgun he carried into the store had been reported stolen.
According to New Mexico court records, a man with the same name and date of birth as Acuna was arrested in 2010 in connection with an armed robbery with a deadly weapon. He pled guilty to armed robbery with a deadly weapon and armed robbery with a deadly weapon 2nd charge.
Original Story: Las Cruces Police are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Sunday night at “DCP’s Smoke Shop” at 1025 South Solano Drive.
Police say they arrived at the shop around 9 p.m. and found a man inside lying dead on the ground from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.
Detectives later learned that the man had entered the store with a gun, and was subsequently shot by a store employee.
The identities of those involved have yet to be released. Police are still investigating. We’ll continue to update you as more information becomes available.
