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Man charged with murder in Las Cruces

Update (February 5, 2025): Las Cruces Police arrested James Michael Melendrez, 31, and charged him with an open count of murder in connection with the fatal stabbing.

Courtesy: Dona Ana County Detention Center

Officials are currently holding Melendrez without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center. Police officials say officers found Melendrez at 6 PM on East Lohman Avenue in Las Cruces.

Police are also identifying the victim as Lawrence Patrick Rubio.


LAS CRUCES, New Mexico (KVIA) -- Las Cruces Police are investigating a stabbing that killed a 26-year-old man.

Police have not yet publicly identified the victim, who died at the scene, or the alleged stabber, who police say ran away after the stabbing.

The stabbing happened just before noon today near the intersection of Seventeenth Street and Picacho Avenue. A part of the intersection is still closed off while police gather evidence at the scene.

The investigation into what led up to the stabbing and the identity of the suspect is ongoing.

Anyone who has information is asked to call police at (575)-526-0795.

Article Topic Follows: ABC-7 Alert Center

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