Last Thursday evening, a fatal shooting disrupted the daily bustle on Telshor Boulevard in Las Cruces, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement. As diners enjoyed their meals at Chili's Grill and Bar, chaos erupted when a man began threatening those inside and around the establishment shortly before 6 p.m. According to Las Cruces Police, the first officer on scene engaged with the aggressor in the parking lot, discharging at least one round after perceiving a threat, resulting in the man's death.
The individual fatally shot has been identified as Philip Adrian Mullin, a 50-year-old resident of Las Cruces. Following the tragic incident, officers performed life-saving measures to no avail, as Mullin succumbed to his injuries on the scene. Facing a threat that the officer perceived, one round was enough to bring a definitive end to the confrontation. In the wake of such incidents, the involved officer, whose identity has not been released, has been placed on administrative leave per department protocol, pending the results of a further investigation.
The area surrounding the 400 block of South Telshor Boulevard experienced temporary closures, including the restaurant and a section of the roadway stretching from the Discount Tire business to Lohman Avenue. The closures were meant to facilitate the on-site investigation, which continued into the early hours of Friday. The Officer-involved Incident Task Force, comprising members from various local law enforcement agencies, is currently reviewing the circumstances around the shooting. They will present their findings to the Third Judicial District Attorney's Office. Information about the ongoing investigation remains limited, but the Las Cruces Police Department is expected to provide more details during a news conference set for early next week.
