New details on deadly attempted burglary in Las Cruces

Neighbors are calling two brothers caught in the middle of an attempted burglary in Las Cruces, ‘good samaritans.’

One man died and the other, seriously injured.

Police arrested and charged 19-year old Joshua Jones and 20-year old Christopher Silva with several offenses including first-degree murder and tampering with evidence. ?Police say the men were trying to burglarize a home, and were later confronted by brothers, Fernando and Antonio Molina.

Neighbors Abc-7 spoke with say the men were being good neighbors.

“They were trying to do the right thing. Look out after their neighbor and all of a sudden they ended up in a very bad situation,” Kenneth Schaaf, who lives nearby, said.

A criminal complaint obtained by Abc-7 states Silva and Jones wanted to steal marijuana from a home on Delano Drive.

Jones told investigators he jumped the fence of the targeted home when someone on the other side began cussing at him. Investigators say the men took off running, but were confronted by the Molina brothers. Investigators say Jones shot both men with a 38 caliber revolver when a fight ensued.

The complaint states Jones told his girlfriend he shot the men in self-defense.

Witnesses say Fernando ended up on a sidewalk on Claude Dove Drive, where blood stains remain and Antonio collapsed on Delano Drive. He was taken to the Memorial Medical Center where he later died.

Investigators say the men fled the scene but were later arrested.

Neighbors who witnessed the violent encounter now mourn the loss of Antonio, honoring him with a makeshift memorial near the area he collapsed. They say they hope a crime that shook up the neighborhood, never happens again.

“People like that, just good people not letting stuff happen around your neighborhood is just a very good thing,” Andrea Nevue said.

Jones and Silva are at the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bonds set at $1 million each.

Fernando Molina is in critical condition at University Medical Center in El Paso.