EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 22-year-old man is facing charges after fatally shooting another man during an argument near Lynn Middle School in Las Cruces, according to court documents obtained by KTSM.
Court documents say Bernando Hernandez Jr., 22, is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
Court documents say Hernandez shot and killed Elijah Venegas, 24 on Wednesday morning, April 3 after an argument had ensued with Vengas’ girlfriend.
According to court documents, Venegas was arguing with his girlfriend at a home located on the 2100 block of Lester in Las Cruces.
Venegas’ girlfriend wanted to go to her mother’s house and called Hernandez for a ride, according to court documents.
Court documents say Hernandez arrived at the house in a SUV and Venegas’ girlfriend began loading several of her bags into the vehicle.
Venegas and his girlfriend continued to argue while she placed her items in the SUV.
Court documents say Hernandez was in the driver’s seat of the SUV and began arguing with Venegas, according to court documents.
Venegas then entered the backseat area of the vehicle and began to physically fight with his girlfriend and Hernandez, according to court documents.
Venegas’ girlfriend then exited the vehicle with Venegas and tried to calm him down.
Hernandez then got out of the SUV, approached Venegas and began to shoot him, according to court documents.
Venegas then ran up the street where he was shot again, according to court documents.
Venegas fell to the ground and Hernandez fled on foot and ran towards Lynn Middle School, according to court documents.
While fleeing, Hernandez discarded his jacket and tossed his fanny pack near the school which contained the firearm and magazine.
Officers arrived at the scene and located Venegas who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to court documents.
Venegas was transported to a local hospital where he later died.
The Las Cruces Police Department (LCPD) was able to locate and arrest Hernandez at the school.
Hernandez told police that the incident between all parties was recorded by a camera set up inside the SUV, according to court documents.
Hernandez later told police that he was unable to find his keys, causing him to flee on foot.
Hernandez also told police that when approaching Venegas, he reached for Hernandez’s waist and was known to have two handguns on his person from previous occurrences, according to court documents.
When Hernandez was questioned about seeing a handgun(s) on Venegas during the incident, he said no.
Hernandez was arrested and is currently being held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bond.
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