Teen takes a bullet, son charged with killing father

Teen shot at large house party

Police investigating the early-morning shooting of a 16-year-old boy at a large house party were faced with a belligerent and uncooperative crowd, three of whom will be charged for battering an officer who responded to the incident.

Shortly after 2 a.m. on Friday, July 10, Las Cruces police were dispatched to several reports of gunfire in a residential area on the 3600 block of Santa Sabina Avenue. Officers arrived to learn a 16-year-old boy had a gunshot wound. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries that are not considered to be life-threatening.

As police tried to stop a vehicle from leaving the residence, one officer was battered by a man. As the officer tried to take that man into custody, two women jumped in and also battered the officer. The officer received injuries to his face and eye. Though not life-threatening, the officer’s injuries required medical attention.

Investigators learned a woman rented the home, at 3613 Santa Sabina Ave., for the sole purpose of hosting a party for her boyfriend’s birthday. Several juveniles attended the party and police found at least three intoxicated. Preliminary information from the investigation indicates that, sometime during the party, one of the attendees outside the home opened fire with an assault-style rifle. Witnesses heard around five gunshots during the initial burst followed by three to four more rounds shortly thereafter.

One of the rounds struck the 16-year-old boy.

The shooting suspect fled from the area in a vehicle, but witnesses were able to provide police with a description of him. The shooting suspect has yet to be located and the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call police at (575) 526-0795.

UPDATE: Son charged in stabbing death of his father

Las Cruces police have arrested a 26-year-old man suspected of stabbing his father to death early Wednesday morning at the home they shared on the city’s East Mesa.

Lucas Daniel Gonzalez, 26, is charged with one first-degree felony count of murder.

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 73-year-old Alfredo Gonzalez on the ground, just outside the home, with multiple wounds to his face, head, arms and back. Gonzalez was unresponsive and without a pulse. He was declared dead shortly thereafter.

Alfredo’s 26-year-old son, Lucas Daniel Gonzalez, was located by an officer inside the home. He had relatively minor cut wounds to both his hands and was transported to a local hospital. He was released from the hospital a short while later and interviewed by investigators.

Las Cruces police investigators learned that, sometime before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, Lucas Daniel Gonzalez likely used several knives found in the home to attack his father. Investigators believe the attack began inside the home before Alfredo exited the front door. Evidence from the scene appears the attack continued on the front walkway where Alfredo was located by the first-arriving officer.

When interviewed by investigators, Lucas Daniel Gonzalez acknowledged his involvement in his father’s death.

Lucas Daniel Gonzalez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.