Mayor Eric Enriquez City of Las Cruces | City of Las Cruces
Mayor Eric Enriquez City of Las Cruces | City of Las Cruces
Las Cruces police have apprehended a suspect in connection with the fatal stabbing of Lawrence Patrick Rubio. The incident occurred near the intersection of Seventeenth Street and Picacho Avenue on Tuesday.
James Michael Melendrez, 31, has been charged with an open count of murder. He is currently held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center.
The police responded to reports of an altercation leading to a stabbing shortly before noon on February 4, 2025. Upon arrival at north Seventeenth Street, just south of Picacho Avenue, first responders found Rubio, aged 26, suffering from at least one stab wound. Rubio was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators identified James Michael Melendrez as the suspect who fled on foot after the incident. Police located him around 6 p.m. on east Lohman Avenue and took him into custody without further incident.
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