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Las Cruces Shooting Suspect Identified, Charged

Las Cruces police arrested the man suspected in the Oct. 9 shooting that damaged a home a vehicle, and came close to injuring a young girl asleep inside a home on Lees Drive.

Willie Yanez, 39, of the 7800 block of Kissiah Drive just outside of city limits, is charged with one count of shooting at a dwelling or occupied building, and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. All four charges are fourth-degree felonies.

At approximately 4:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of shots fired at a home on the 1200 block of Lees Drive. Officers arrived to find no injuries, but damage to the home and a sport utility vehicle parked nearby. Officers located several spent shell casings from a .223 caliber rifle near the roadway.

Investigators learned that, earlier in the morning on Oct. 9, several people were at a party in a room at the Comfort Suites hotel at 236 N. Telshor Blvd. At approximately 3 a.m., one of the partygoers pulled out two handguns to show them off. Another attendee asked to take a picture holding the guns but, instead, took off running and fled the property with the two handguns.

The two handguns are believed to have belonged to Yanez who was not at the party but was told of the theft.

Investigators believe Yanez wanted to retaliate so he met friends at Young Park and then proceeded to the 1200 block of Lees Drive where he’s suspected of firing multiple rounds at a residence. Investigators believe Yanez targeted the wrong home as one of the rounds penetrated a bedroom and struck an object just inches above where a young girl was sleeping.

No injuries were reported in the shooting.

Yanez was arrested Oct. 11 on a warrant charging him with violating terms of his probation. Charges related to the Oct. 9 shooting were filed Friday, Oct. 13.

Yanez was arrested Sept. 1 after an hours-long SWAT callout at the Hampton Inn, 1641 Hickory Loop. At the time, Yanez was wanted on a warrant for failing to comply with conditions of his probation.

Information from Las Cruces Police