The Artesia Police Department is continuing to investigate recent shooting incidents, including one over the weekend that a local man is not expected to survive and another Tuesday that left a man injured but in stable condition.
Officers were dispatched around 11 p.m. Sunday in the 600 block of Quay Avenue in reference to two “minor incidents” that, according to the APD, “escalated and de-escalated” with “groups of people coming and going from the house with various types of conflict happening.” The incidents ultimately ended with shots fired, and an Artesia man in his 20s was struck in the abdomen. He is listed in “very serious condition” at an out-of-state hospital and, according to the APD, is not expected to live.
Cmdr. Lindell Smith of the APD says the weapon used in the shooting is accounted for and a suspect has been identified, along with several witnesses.
“The detectives are going to continue to try to gather testimonial evidence and present the evidence to the district attorney for consideration,” Smith said.
At 5:08 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 200 block of North Second Street in reference to shots fired. Upon arrival, they found a 46-year-old male suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck. The man was transported to an out-of-state hospital and is now listed in stable condition.
A male subject in a white shirt was seen leaving the area just after the shots were fired, and he has yet to be located. Smith says evidence was collected from the scene and several witnesses identified and interviewed, but no suspect has yet been identified.
Finally, at around 11 p.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to the 300 block of North Fourth Street, once again in reference to shots fired. Smith says no evidence was found that could be specifically connected to any such incident. However, a witness reported having seen the shooter in a grey Toyota pickup truck. Officers were unable to locate that vehicle, and no injuries or fresh property damage were reported.
Smith says none of the above incidents appear to be connected. Anyone with potential information about these crimes is urged to contact APD detectives at 746-5000.
