Las Cruces Police believe a grand jury proceeding scheduled for Thursday may have led to Wednesday night’s double-shooting that left two people dead. Preliminary information from the investigation leads detectives to believe the incident is likely a murder-suicide.
Detectives learned that sometime around 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, Richard J. McIntyre, 70, of the1800 block of Ash Avenue, was seen by a witness walking on the 2200 block of Solarway, near the residence of Lisa Cash, his 59-year-old sister-in-law. Witnesses told detectives that Cash got into her silver Toyota Tacoma, left the residence and apparently stopped to talk with McIntyre.
Detectives believe that’s when McIntyre abducted Cash at gunpoint and forced her to drive. The two ended up on the 2200 block of Bellamah Drive where they apparently argued before McIntyre used a .38 caliber revolver to shoot Cash at least once in the head while she sat behind the wheel of the Tacoma. It appears that McIntyre then got out of the pickup and fired one shot into his head.
Area residents heard the gunshots and called 911. Cash and McIntyre were transported to a local hospital where they both were pronounced dead Wednesday evening.
McIntyre had been under investigation for the alleged abuse and sexual assault of a relative of Cash’s. The case against McIntyre was supposed to be heard by a grand jury today. Detectives believe McIntyre was upset at Cash for her involvement and possible testimony against him before a grand jury.
Las Cruces Police detectives are continuing their investigation.