Tragedy struck early morning on Walnut Street with the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old man identified as Josiah Perrault. The incident, which unfolded at around 6:30 a.m. last Thursday, took place on the 900 block of Walnut Street, as reported by the Las Cruces Police Department. According to the information provided by the police, Perrault succumbed to his injuries while another man, involved in the same incident, was transported to a local hospital; he is currently recuperating from non-life-threatening injuries.
Details surrounding the shooting remain sparse, with the police yet to unveil the full narrative of events. Scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, there will be a news conference held at 11:30 a.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 700 N. Main St. The police have indicated that this delay allows for comprehensive witness interviews and the attendance of Chief Jeremy Story and other LCPD personnel, who are in Washington, D.C. observing National Police Week until May 17, according to Las Cruces Police Department.
Behind the investigation of the May 8 shooting stands the Officer-involved Incident Task Force, a coalition task force comprising investigators from New Mexico State Police, the Las Cruces Police Department, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State University Police. This alliance is tasked with gathering evidence and compiling witness statements, which will subsequently be passed on to the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The full scope of their findings is anticipated to be part of the disclosures at the forthcoming news conference.
