Las Cruces police have charged the man suspected of shooting and killing his mother during what police believe was a suicide attempt Wednesday evening.
Lawrence Lopez, 32, is charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter, a fourth-degree felony.
About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Las Cruces police and fire personnel were dispatched to the report of a gunshot victim at a residence on Los Ranchitos road. First responders arrived to find 58-year-old Tina Lucero with a single gunshot wound. Life-saving measures were attempted, but Lucero succumbed to her injuries.
Lopez was taken into custody at the scene. He suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand and was transported to an area hospital.
Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that Lopez threatened to commit suicide and pulled out a handgun in front of his mother. Lucero physically tried to intervene and stop her son from committing suicide.
Police believe that, during a struggle for the gun, Lopez pulled the trigger and discharged one round that struck his hand and fatally injured his mother.
Lopez is still receiving medical attention at an area hospital. Once he’s discharged, he will be booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center.