Murder-suicide leaves three people dead in Deming, police say

A murder-suicide in Deming left three people dead, the police chief told ABC-7.

“These are very serious, very unfortunate scenes,” said Chief Bobby Orosco. “People today lost their lives, so we treat these just as serious as any other case we have.”

Orosco told ABC-7 67-year-old Hector Barraza shot and killed 43-year-old Elizabeth Barraza and 43-year-old Manuel Cruz. Police first responded to the scene, near the intersection of Olive and Pearl streets, just before 5 a.m. on Thursday.

“It’s believed the incident was the result of a domestic dispute,” Orosco said. “We don’t believe there’s any other suspects outstanding, but the investigation is ongoing.”

All three people died of gunshot wounds, police said.

“I saw one body by the road, one by the side of the steps and there was one inside the house,” said Marcelina Garcia, who has lived in the neighborhood for more than four years. “I’m used to stuff like that.”

Garcia told ABC-7 the deaths did not surprise her. She said she no longer wants to live in the neighborhood.

“I don’t like it,” Garcia said. “I want to move already. I never wanted to live here, but I had no choice at the time.”

Police say there appears to be no more suspects in the case. They’re still working to determine what led to the deadly shootings.

“We want to get to the bottom of everything and find out what actually happened,” Orosco said.

Anyone with domestic disputes is advised to call the Deming Police Department at (575) 546-3011.

“Contact us,” Orosco said. “We’re here to help.”