Statement of facts reveal more details of fatal shooting incident involving 89-year-old and his son

The statement of facts on the fatal shooting at a Las Cruces retirement home reveals more details about what transpired on May 11, 2015.

Carl Fredrick Harlan, 89, has been charged with an open count of murder in the shooting death of his 65-year-old son, Carl Tracy Harlan, at the Village of Northrise on the morning of May 11, 2015. He also has been charged with First Degree Kidnapping and Three Counts of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer with a Deadly Weapon.

The incident happened in a second floor apartment at the Village of Northrise in the 2000 block of North Roadrunner Parkway.

According to the statement of facts, Nina Lytle heard thuds coming from the room next to hers. She knocked on the door next door to check on what happened when Carl Fredrick Harlan answered and let her inside.

Lytle says she saw a male, later identified as Carl Tracy Harlan, on the floor who told her he had been shot and that Carl Fredrick Harlan had a gun.

Lytle said in the statement of facts that she tried to run out of the room to call 911 but Carl Fredrick Harlan grabbed her, causing her to fall.

Carl Fredrick Harlan then allegedly began tapping Lytle on the head with what Lytle described as a revolver.

Lytle said that Carl Fredrick Harlan told her he would shoot her if she moved. He then opened the cylinder of the gun and told her “as long as this is open I can’t shoot you but if I close it I can,” according to the statement of facts.

Lytle said Carl Fredrick Harlan then told her that his son was working hard to take his money.

Four Las Cruces Police officers initially responded to the 911 call and positioned themselves at the front door of Room 229, where the Harlans and Lytle were.

The officers told Carl Fredrick Harlan “show me your hands.”

Police say Carl Fredrick Harlan then opened his door, extended his hand and out with what appeared to be a black revolver.

Officers said in the statement of facts that they ordered him to put the weapon down but he did not comply.

Officers state that based on his actions and the direction he was pointing the revolver that two officers feared being shot by him.

Lytle then heard police fire a gun, injuring Carl Fredrick Harlan and he fell to the floor.

Las Cruces Police also spoke to Village of Northrise employee Liz McClane who said that on April 11, Carl Fredrick Harlan raised concerns about a lack of a front desk monitor and the doors not locking.

Carl Fredrick Harlan told McClane he was afraid about his “crazy, smart” son going to speak with him about money. He his son as Carl T. Harlan.

Paramedics told police during transport to a hospital that Carl Fredrick Harlan admitted to them that he shot his son because he was stealing money from his bank account.