Docs: Man facing multiple charges after shooting, killing another man in Las Cruces
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 40-year-old Las Cruces man is facing a handful of charges after he allegedly shot another man and killed him over the weekend outside a Las Cruces apartment complex, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.
Osvaldo Suarez, 40, is facing charges of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, bribery or threatening a witness and receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon.
Suarez is accused of shooting and killing 26-year-old Oscar Ramirez on Saturday, Feb. 3 at an apartment complex along Van Patten Avenue in Las Cruces. The incident happened at about 3:15 p.m. Saturday, according to police.
When officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a gunshot victim, they found Ramirez with at least one gunshot wound. He was transported to Mountain View Medical Center where he died from his injuries, according to court documents.
Witnesses told police that the man who shot Ramirez was known to them as “Tut” and described the clothing he was wearing. They also told police he was a resident of the apartment complex.
Police said they were familiar with the name “Tut” and believed it was Osvaldo Suarez.
According to court documents, police staked out his apartment when they observed him trying to flee by hopping a fence into an adjacent alley.
Officers were also able to obtain surveillance video from a resident of the neighborhood that captured the shooting while it took place.
The video showed Suarez with a rifle or shotgun, raising the weapon and firing a single round which struck Ramirez, killing him, according to court documents.
The video also shows Suarez stopping to pick up what appeared to be a spent cartridge off the ground.
Police also said they learned that Suarez allegedly told a witness to delete their security footage and the witness told police they felt threatened by him.
According to court documents, police said they learned Suarez was a convicted felon dating from November 2015 and was prohibited by law from possession any firearms or ammunition.
Suarez was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center on Saturday, Feb. 3 with no bond.
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