Authorities arrested a 16-year-old boy suspected of involvement in shooting cases in southeast New Mexico.
New Mexico State Police arrested a 16-year-old boy on October 13 in connection with multiple shootings in southeast New Mexico. The teenager was taken into custody after being located by agents following a September 4 traffic stop in Eddy County, where he had been driving a speeding vehicle that officers later searched.
During the search, officers seized three firearms, ammunition, suspected narcotics packaged for distribution, and drug paraphernalia. Ballistics tests linked one firearm to two shootings in Roswell. Investigators also examined a possible connection to a shooting in Artesia. The teen faces multiple weapons and drug trafficking charges.
The New Mexico State Police said authorities issued an arrest warrant for the teenager on firearm-related charges and a trafficking charge.
Authorities said the suspect was arrested on October 13 after he was found by agents.
On September 4, an officer spotted a Nissan Altima speeding along the U.S. Highway 285 in Eddy County, according to NMSP. The officer pulled over the vehicle driven by the teenager after it stopped at a residence near Mockingbird Lane.
NMSP said the 16-year-old refused to exit the car. He also gave inconsistent information about who lived at the residence and who owned the vehicle.
According to authorities, officers seized three firearms and ammunition while executing a search warrant on the car. They also found suspected narcotics packaged for distribution and drug paraphernalia.
Police said subsequent ballistics tests linked one of the seized guns to two shootings in Roswell.
NMSP added its Fugitive Apprehension Unit in Roswell found that the teenager was also under investigation by the Artesia Police Department. Investigators were looking into his possible connection to a shooting in the Artesia area.
Police said the 16-year-old faces one count of unlawful carrying of a handgun by a person under the age of 19 and two counts of unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon. He also faces one count of possession of a controlled substance by a minor and one count of trafficking by distribution.
