LCPD: Man shot in road rage incident in critical condition

LAS CRUCES - The 30-year-old man shot in the abdomen Thursday during a road rage incident remained in critical condition Friday at an El Paso hospital, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.

Police said the man had been in a pickup before he was shot at least once near the intersection of Rinconada Boulevard and Settlers Pass. The name of the gunshot victim has not been released.

It remains unclear how many times the man was struck, but police said the gunfire came from a second “automobile.”

Preliminary information from LCPD suggests the pickup and automobile were “engaged in aggressive driving” while in the East Mesa area.

The incident began to unfold sometime after 5 p.m. Thursday, police said, and escalated a short time later when someone in the automobile produced a handgun and fired at least one round, striking the 30-year-old man.

The man was shot in the abdomen, police said, and was airlifted to University Medical Center in El Paso, where he remained in critical condition on Friday.

LCPD spokesman Dan Trujillo said police have identified “all parties” involved in the incident, including the possible shooter. He said interviews were conducted Friday and that charges may be pending.

No arrests had been made as of Friday.

Police swarmed the area shortly after the shooting was reported at 5:16 p.m. As part of the investigation, police temporarily blocked traffic in and out of the Rinconada subdivision along Rinconada Boulevard, and between Roma Drive and Settlers Pass.

Trujillo said police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with relevant information to call 575-526-0795.