CRIME
Las Cruces man fatally shot by police identified
Police releases limited information about shooting
Published
Modified
LAS CRUCES — A Las Cruces man allegedly fired "at least one round" at police before being gunned down outside of a Walmart on Sunday.
It remains unclear how many officers were involved in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Johnny Ray Morales.
Shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday, someone flagged an off-duty Las Cruces police officer — who was working at Walmart in a security capacity — about a bicycle theft in the 1500 block of South Valley Drive, near Interstate 10.
After the officer found and tried to detain Morales, he fired "at least one round at the officer." The officer returned fire then Morales ran, according to a Las Cruces Police Department news release.
Additional officers arrived and attempted to establish a perimeter when "exchanges of gunfire occurred," police said.
Morales died at the scene, the release states.
Police said there will be a news conference on Sunday's shooting "after all known witnesses are interviewed and more information is confirmed."
"No other information is available at this time," according to the release.
Morales was scheduled to go on trial on June 22 to face child abuse, receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm by a felon, receiving a stolen firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia charges, according to court records.
Gregory R.C. Hasman is a general assignment reporter and the Road Warrior. He can be reached at ghasman@abqjournal.com or 505-823-3820.
