Las Cruces police searching for man involved in homicide

Las Cruces Police are investigating a homicide that took place Friday night around 7:30 p.m.

LCPD responded to a call for assistance in the 2300 block of Sambrano Avenue. When officers arrived, they found a male subject unconscious in front of the residence. The 29-year-old male subject was transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries. He later died of those injuries.

Witnesses stated that the male victim was involved in a physical altercation with 23-year-old Nathaniel Montoya of Las Cruces.

LCPD say that Montoya fled the scene in his personal vehicle and was possibly last seen leaving his vehicle along the side of the roadway near Bataan Memorial East and Riconcada and receiving a ride from a dark in color van, driven by an unknown person, eastbound along Highway.

Montoya is described as 5’8″, 200 pounds, and wearing blue jeans with a black hoodie.

The Las Cruces Police Department is asking for the community’s help in locating Nathaniel Montoya or any information as to his whereabouts. LCPD is also looking to identify the van in question as well.

Nathaniel Montoya should be considered armed.

If you have any information, please call Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch Authority 575-526-0795 or Las Cruces Police Department 575-528-4200.

East and West bound traffic of the 2300 block of Sambrano Avenue are closed while the investigation continues.