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A Las Cruces man faces an open count of murder after police say he shot and killed another man at the outset of a fight.
Saul Camarena, 41, faces an open count of murder after police say he gunned down 36-year-old Justin Griffin on the 2100 block of Lynch Drive on Feb. 26. Camarena was taken to jail, where he remains as of this article’s publication.
According to an affidavit, police were called to the 2100 block of Lynch Drive around 8 p.m. on Wednesday. There, they discovered Griffin dead with at least one gunshot wound. A witness told police they had seen Griffin in an altercation with two other men before Camarena joined the fray.
The two men fought before Camarena pulled out a gun and shot Griffin, according to the witness’ statement to police.
According to a news release, police then arrested Camarena at his home in East Mesa around 2 p.m. on Feb. 28.
Typically, in murder cases, the 3rd Judicial District Attorney's office requests that a judge hold people accused of murder without bond. In that process, prosecutors must prove that a defendant is dangerous and that no conditions of release -- like a cash bond or ankle monitor -- could reasonably protect the public.
