On December 23, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in Las Cruces, New Mexico, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Steven Alarcon. The shooting took place shortly before 11 p.m. in the parking lot of Top Crop cannabis dispensary, located at 2240 E. Lohman Avenue.
When police arrived at the scene, they found Alarcon dead in the parking lot. Initial investigations revealed that Alarcon had been involved in a verbal argument with Jesus Adan Herrera, who was driving a blue GMC Sierra 1500.
As the argument escalated and Alarcon stood near the driver's side window of the vehicle, Xavier Noe Altamirano, a 20-year-old passenger in the GMC Sierra, allegedly fired several shots from the passenger seat.
Following the shooting, Alarcon attempted to flee but collapsed on the ground. The GMC Sierra then left the scene before authorities arrived. On January 23, 2024, Las Cruces police arrested Xavier Noe Altamirano on a warrant. He was charged with a second-degree felony count of murder in connection with Alarcon's death. Jesus Herrera was also arrested for his involvement in the incident.
However, the case took an unexpected turn during the trial. On September 18, 2024, a jury found Xavier Altamirano not guilty of second-degree murder and shooting at or from a vehicle charges. Altamirano's lawyer, Jeff Lahann, argued that his client had acted in self-defense. According to Lahann, Altamirano believed Alarcon was reaching for a gun and feared for his own life. When Alarcon turned back to face Altamirano's vehicle, Altamirano began shooting.
The acquittal came after a trial held near the end of August 2024. The jury's decision cleared Altamirano of all charges related to the incident, including second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, and shooting from a motor vehicle. This verdict brought a conclusion to the legal proceedings surrounding the tragic event that occurred on that December night in 2023.
