LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM) – An employee working at a Sonic in Las Cruces has died after he was allegedly shot by another employee Tuesday night, March 4. Las Cruces Police is currently searching for the suspect.
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Police say they were dispatched just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday to the Sonic Drive-In located at 3471 Foothills Road in Las Cruces, in reference to shots fired.
Crews arrived to find Benjamin Hernandez, 20, an employee suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators learned that Hernandez and another employee, who was later identified as Luciano Roman Valente Frias, 21, got into an argument or altercation inside the restaurant, police said.
At some point Frias produced a handgun and fired at least one round, striking Hernandez. Frias then fled from the restaurant on foot, police said.
Police are actively searching for Frias who is 5-foot-5 and weighs approximately 130 pounds.
Anyone with information on this incident, or the whereabouts of Frias, is asked to call Las Cruces police at (575) 526-0795.