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Late Night Shooting Lands Las Cruces Man In Jail

  Las Cruces Police arrested a man suspected of firing a handgun at a pedestrian late Sunday evening.

Robert L. Barnett, 45, is charged with one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of negligent use of a deadly weapon.

Detectives learned that shortly before midnight on Sunday, Dec. 14, a 21-year-old man was walking down the alley behind Arroyo Plaza when he encountered several dogs that were unleashed and barking at him. The owner of the dogs, later identified as Barnett, emerged from the back door of the Pro Tax Services business for a brief moment and then went back inside.

The 21-year-old man continued walking down the alley when, detectives believe, Barnett emerged a second time from the business and fired a handgun at the pedestrian.
 

The pedestrian hid behind a utility pole and pleaded for Barnett not to fire anymore rounds. When Barnett re-entered the business with his dogs, the 21-year-old man ran away and called 911.

The pedestrian was not struck and did not report any injuries.

Police learned that Barnett was likely to be the shooter and made contact with him. He was taken into custody at his home and the firearm, a 40-caliber semi-automatic, was located in his vehicle.

Barnett was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center with bond set at $5,000.

Information from Las Cruces Police