DEMING – A 73-year-old Luna County man has been arrested after authorities say he fatally shot an 18-year-old man during what he believed was an attempted vehicle burglary early Sunday morning.
According to Captain Michael Brown with the Luna County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 3:19 a.m. on July 26 to the 3800 block of Puentes Drive Southeast for a reported disturbance. During the investigation, deputies determined the incident was a homicide.
Investigators allege that Benny Verdugo told deputies he heard yelling and believed someone was tampering with a vehicle on his property. Authorities say Verdugo encountered 18-year-old Uziel Barrera near a Chrysler 300, assumed the vehicle was being burglarized, retrieved a .22-caliber revolver from inside his residence, returned outside, and fired a single shot.
The bullet struck Barrera in the head, causing fatal injuries, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Barrera was later positively identified through photographs. Verdugo was arrested and charged with an open count of homicide before being booked into the Luna County Detention Center.
The Luna County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division continues to investigate the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators at (575) 546-2655 or provide anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at (575) 546-7800 or P3Tips.com.
All persons accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Byline: John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com
