A shooting, a murder, a stabbing

Suspect arrested in June 29 hotel shooting

The suspect believed to be responsible for the June 29 shooting at a local hotel – a shooting that injured a 35-year-old man – has been arrested and charged for the crime.

Andrew “Drew” Joseph Castellano, 32, of the 3300 block of Caballero Drive in Albuquerque, is charged with one second-degree felony count of attempted murder, two third-degree felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one fourth-degree felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

About 9:30 p.m. on Monday, June 29, police were dispatched to the report of a shooting at La Quinta Inn and Suites, 790 Avenida de Mesilla. A 35-year-old man was located suffering from three gunshot wounds. He was transported to Mountainview Regional Medical Center in critical but stable condition.

While investigating the incident, a 32-year-old man identified as Castellano arrived at Memorial Medical Center with a gunshot wound to his crotch. Castellano was uncooperative with investigators and refused to say how or where he was shot. Police collected Castellano’s clothing which indicated he likely shot himself accidentally.

Several days after the shooting, investigators spoke with the 35-year-old victim who identified Castellano as the shooter who opened fire on him in a room at La Quinta. As of July 8, the victim was still hospitalized in stable condition.

Las Cruces police investigators obtained a warrant for Castellano’s arrest. Castellano was arrested on the morning of July 8 and booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.

Police investigate apparent homicide at east mesa home

Las Cruces police are investigating what appears to be a homicide that occurred early Wednesday morning at a home on the city’s East Mesa.

Shortly after 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, police were dispatched to a 911 hang-up at a home on the 5800 block of Desert Mesa Place. Officers arrived to find a 73-year-old man dead. Another man at the residence was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The second man has since been released from the hospital and, as part of the investigation, is in police custody. Police have reason to believe there are no outstanding suspects in this case. No charges have been filed at this time.

Additional information will be released at the appropriate time.

Couple suspected in stabbing, attack on man, arrested

The couple suspected of attacking and stabbing a man early Tuesday morning near a homeless shelter have both been charged in the crime.

Jesse Rayos, 36, and Gianna Shreve, 18, each face felony counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence.

Las Cruces police learned that Shreve took exception to the way a man handled her dog after it reportedly attacked him. About 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, Shreve and Rayos, her boyfriend, reportedly confronted the man and Rayos got into a physical confrontation with him.

Investigators learned that during the confrontation, as Rayos restrained the man, Shreve used a folding knife to stab the man’s leg. Sometime after that, Rayos is accused of arming himself with a machete and using it to strike the man.

The victim had a stab wound to his leg and visible injuries consistent with the attack. He was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Rayos and Shreve were booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center where they are initially being held without bond.