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Las Cruces Police Department Chief Jeremy Story held a news conference March 20 to present facts learned since the March 13, 2025, shooting on south Main Street that injured an armed man.

The officer-involved shooting occurred shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday, March 13, on the 800 block of south Main Street in Las Cruces.

The suspect, 19-year-old Gabriel Padilla, was struck by gunfire at least once. He was transported to an area hospital where he remains in serious but stable condition. When he is released from the hospital, he will be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.

Padilla is charged with one count each of aggravated assault on a peace officer, negligent use of a deadly weapon, and resisting, evading or obstructing an officer.

The officer is a lateral transfer and began working with LCPD in August 2021. He has seven years’ experience as a law enforcement officer. Shortly after Thursday’s incident, he was placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol for such an incident.

Video of Thursday’s news conference can be seen on the City’s YouTube channel and on the Las Cruces Police Department’s Facebook page.

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