Las Cruces Police: Man allegedly starts fight with baseball bat, ex-friend then beats him with bat

A man Las Cruces Police suspect of using a baseball bat to start a fight with an ex-friend was instead beaten with the weapon and subsequently charged for initiating the attack.

Carlos M. Cooper, 37, has been charged with one count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, a third-degree felony.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. Aug. 11, Las Cruces Police were sent to Mountain View Regional Medical Center where Cooper was being treated for injuries he initially claimed were received when he was attacked by three men. Cooper’s injuries were not life-threatening.

Las Cruces Police detectives said that Cooper, armed with a baseball bat, went to a home on the 2400 block of east Idaho Avenue where he started a fight with an ex-friend. After allegedly striking the ex-friend with the bat Cooper somehow lost control of the weapon and a fight ensued, police said.

Police said that the ex-friend was then able to gain control of the bat and used it to defend himself and his brother.

Cooper also was found to be in violation of his probation and is now being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.