Albuquerque, NM (KKOB) –Las Cruces Police held a press conference today regarding the officer involved shooting death of Johnny Morales from Sunday, February 8th. Morales was involved in the theft of a bicycle at a Walmart. An off-duty LCPD officer at the store, located the suspect and attempted to detain him. During the encounter Morales fired one shot at the officer, the officer returned fire and Morales fled on foot. Other LCPD officers arrived where additional exchanges of gunfire occurred. Morales was pronounced dead on the scene. Morales had a lenghtly criminal history and at the time of his death had an active warrant for battery on a household member. He was scheduled for a trial this June on child abuse charges, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. NM State Police, Las Cruces PD, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and NMSU PD were all involved in the investigation. At the conclusion of the investigation evidence will be turned over to the 3rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
