Hobbs, NM – A 44-year-old man is facing a first-degree murder charge following a fatal shooting that stemmed from a physical altercation in southeast New Mexico.
According to the Hobbs Police Department, officers were first alerted to the incident on Wednesday, July 2, when a man arrived at Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital with a gunshot wound. Investigators later identified the victim as 42-year-old Cruz Aguirre, who had reportedly tried to intervene in a dispute involving Leroy Smith.
The altercation occurred on West Roxana Street. Police say that during the confrontation, Smith allegedly shot Aguirre before fleeing the scene with another individual involved in the initial dispute.
Aguirre later died from his injuries.
The following day, a license plate reader flagged Smith’s vehicle at an intersection. Officers located the vehicle with both Smith and the other individual inside. Smith was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Hobbs Detention Center.
He is now charged with first-degree murder.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hobbs Police at (575) 397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at (575) 393-8005.
