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Las Cruces Man Wanted after Toddler Shot in Eye with BB Gun

  A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Las Cruces man suspected of discharging a BB gun that struck his girlfriend’s 16-month-old child’s eye, most likely causing permanent loss of sight.

Lorenzo Ordaz, 30, of 2230 Dona Ana Road, is charged with one count of negligent child abuse resulting in great bodily harm. The charge is a first-degree felony count.

Las Cruces Police were dispatched to the suspect’s home at around 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, after neighbors heard a young child crying and witnessed Ordaz holding the toddler near the roadway, at the mobile home park. Officers arrived to find the young boy bleeding from his right eye.

Police learned that Ordaz had fled from the area prior to their arrival.

The young child was airlifted to El Paso Children’s Hospital. Medical professionals there have told detectives that the child’s eye was severely damaged and there is little to no chance of him regaining use of that eye. The injury is expected to result in several surgeries for the young boy.

Detectives have received conflicting statements on how the boy was injured but do believe Ordaz was firing a C02-powered 4.5mm BB gun in the side yard while in the company of his girlfriend’s 16-month-old child.

Ordaz is Hispanic, 5-feet-6-inches tall and weighs approximately 140 pounds. He has brown eyes, brown hair that may be shaved and a small mustache.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Ordaz is asked to call police immediately. Any person who knowingly harbors or aids a wanted person is subject to criminal charges as well.

Information from Las Cruces Police