Las Cruces Police Department responds to an Officer-Involved-Shooting on Feb. 8, 2026.
The Las Cruces Police Department will hold a news conference at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, to provide updated information regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026.
The news conference will take place in the Council Chambers at Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main Street.
The suspect in the incident has been identified as 28-year-old Johnny Ray Morales.
The incident began shortly before 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, when an officer working approved off-duty employment at Walmart was flagged down regarding a shoplifting involving a bicycle. The officer located the suspect, later identified as Morales, and attempted to detain him.
During the encounter, Morales fired at least one round at the officer. The officer returned fire. Morales then fled the scene on foot.
Additional officers responded and attempted to establish a perimeter. During that response, additional exchanges of gunfire occurred. Morales was pronounced deceased at the scene.
No officers were seriously injured.
The incident involved multiple scenes surrounding Valley Drive, all of which were secured by responding officers.
The Officer-Involved Incident Task Force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police. The task force gathers facts in the case and presents those facts to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Additional details will be provided during Tuesday’s news conference.
Media representatives are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for setup.
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