Las Cruces police have arrested a man believed to be responsible for an April 1 shooting on north Miranda Street that injured an 18-year-old during a botched vapes sale.
Titus Josiah McGaw Bulger, 19, is charged with felony counts of shooting at or from a motor vehicle causing great bodily harm, attempted armed robbery and receiving a stolen firearm.
The incident occurred shortly before 9 p.m. on April 1, 2026, on the 1100 block of north Miranda Street.
Detectives learned that the 18-year-old victim agreed to meet Bulger to sell disposable vapes with tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly called THC, and some with nicotine. The two agreed to meet on north Miranda Street.
Through their investigation, detectives learned that Bulger walked across the street to the victim’s pickup and, after a brief conversation, tried to steal the cartridges from the victim. Police believe Bulger then fired two shots into the vehicle, striking the victim in the face.
Bulger fled toward a nearby apartment complex and the victim drove off, crashing into a nearby canal. The 18-year-old victim was transported to University Medical Center of El Paso where he received care for his injuries. His injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
The victim indicated he did not know Bulger except for their social media interactions. Detectives gained access to the victim’s phone to find the suspect’s social media accounts and used images from a surveillance camera to identify Bulger as the suspect.
Bulger was arrested April 21 and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center. He is initially being held without bond.
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