From Staff Reports

Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - The man suspected in Saturday’s shooting on Embassy Drive has been charged with a felony.

Andrew Jason Torres, 35, of the 1600 block of Embassy Drive, is charged with a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He’s also charged with misdemeanor counts of battery on a household member, negligent use of a deadly weapon, reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident.

Torres is suspected of punching his mother before shooting his mother's boyfriend. Torres then drove himself an Albertsons grocery store, seeking medical assistance for a bloody face. A previous release incorrectly stated that the shooting victim drove himself to the Albertsons store.

Las Cruces police investigators learned that Torres lives with his mother on Embassy Drive. About 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, Torres’ mother and her 49-year-old boyfriend returned home to find her Chevrolet Tahoe missing and believed Torres had it. His mother called and sent text messages to her son, demanding that he return her Tahoe.

When Torres returned home in the Tahoe, he started arguing with his mother, police said. Investigators learned his mother demanded that he collect his belongings and leave. When Torres’ mother tried retrieving the vehicle keys from her son, he allegedly punched her face.

Torres got back into the Tahoe and tried to leave but the vehicle struck the 49-year-old man’s pickup. The 49-year-old man then confronted Torres, police said, and the two began throwing punches at each other. That’s when Torres allegedly retrieved a handgun and fired at least one round that struck the 49-year-old man’s leg.

Torres then drove to the Albertsons grocery store at 2501 N. Main St.

Police and firefighters located the 49-year-old victim at the Embassy address. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Torres was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center where he’s initially being held without bond.

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