Man who died in standoff with deputies near Las Cruces is ID’d

UPDATE, Sept. 6: Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies on Monday identified the man who died during a standoff east of Las Cruces last week as 37-year-old Adam Alvarez.

Alvarez was found dead of a gunshot wound inside a home at 8904 Corona, just north of Highway 70 off Weisner Road, following an exchange of gunfire with authorities who were trying to serve a warrant on Friday.

UPDATE #2, Sept. 3: While executing a search warrant at a home that was the scene of a standoff earlier Friday, Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies said they found a man inside who had been shot to death.

Officials said it hadn't yet been determined whether the man died as a result of an exchange of gunfire with authorities, or if his wounds were self inflected.

The body was discovered about 3 p.m. at a home in the 8900 block of Corona north of Highway 70, which is located just east of Las Cruces.

UPDATE, Sept. 3: A standoff that ensued following gunfire in an area east of Las Cruces finally came to an end late Friday afternoon when Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies took two suspects into custody.

The crime scene remained active as deputies were awaiting the arrival of a search warrant before entering the home.

ORIGINAL REPORT, Spet. 3: DONA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico -- Dona Ana County Sheriff's deputies asked residents along a stretch of Weisner Road near Highway 70 east of Las Cruces to shelter in place on Friday afternoon due to a standoff with an armed man holed up inside a nearby home.

Authorities described the standoff at 8910 Corona as an "active scene" and a SWAT team had been deployed.

Sheriff's officials said the incident began unfolding with a 911 call from a woman who reported hearing gunshots in the area; deputies who responded witnessed gunfire coming from the home.

There was a limited exchange of gunfire, sheriff's officials said, and a deputy suffered minor injuries after being hit by a bullet fragment.

Authorities said no other injuries had been reported.

Nearby schools were placed on lockdown and after-school bus service was being rerouted around the crime scene, Las Cruces Public Schools officials said.

In a brief statement the Sheriff's Office told people to avoid the area.

"There will be no travel into the area via Hanger Lake, Corona or Weisner. Please remain out of the area until further notice," the DASO statement said. "We are asking residents in the area of Luna Vista on the north, Tammy Lane on the south, Hanger Lake on the west and Coyote on the east to shelter in place."

No further details were immediately available.