Joshua Pacheco, a 37-year-old man from Las Cruces, New Mexico, was shot and killed in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 28, 2026. The incident occurred at a social gathering at a residence on the 8900 block of Ivory Wing Lane, located just east of the Las Cruces city limits.
According to the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to the home shortly after 12:30 a.m. following reports of a shooting.
Investigators determined that a number of acquaintances had been at the gathering when an argument erupted between two individuals. The altercation escalated, resulting in the brandishing of a knife and a firearm.
During the violent exchange, Joshua Pacheco sustained fatal gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. A 41-year-old woman was also seriously injured during the incident and was airlifted to a local hospital for medical treatment.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement officials took two brothers into custody in connection with the deadly incident. The Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office has stated that there are no outstanding suspects and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Joshua Pacheco remains active. At this time, the names of the suspects, the specific charges they face, and details regarding any subsequent legal proceedings, such as a trial or conviction, have not been released.
