22-Year-Old Man Shot To Death In Las Cruces

A 22-year-old man was shot to death Thursday evening in northeast Las Cruces.

The young man’s body lay in the parking lot of Gas, Diesel and More Foodmart near Bataan Memorial West and Jornada Road as his family arrived at the crime scene.

Monique Melendrez told ABC-7 the victim was her brother, Julian.

“He had a job, he had a son, he was taking care of his son,” said Melendrez.

Police were called out shortly after 7 p.m. after reports of a shooting. Emergency radio transmissions indicated the shooter talked to a dispatcher, then turned himself in.

Las Cruces police confirm they have a suspect in custody, but they did not release his identity.

Meanwhile, the Melendrez family mourned the sudden loss of Julian.

“My brother, he’s very loving, he has a job, he takes care of his son,” sobbed his sister.

“My brother does have a past and he has been in trouble before,” whe admitted, “but he is a good person.”

“He’s been trying to get away from his past and he’s doing good for himself and his son… and this is what happened,” said Melendrez