In Las Vegas, New Mexico, on the afternoon of May 8, 2014, a tragic series of events unfolded at the home of Arcenio Lujan, a 48-year-old Hispanic male. New Mexico State Police officers were dispatched to his residence on Castle Drive to perform a welfare check after receiving reports of a suicidal man. For approximately 30 to 45 minutes, a tense situation transpired as officers attempted to communicate with Lujan, who was observed repeatedly entering and exiting his home carrying a long
rifle.
Despite numerous pleas from the officers for him to cooperate, the confrontation escalated. Lujan eventually moved from his yard and began to aggressively advance towards the officers, pointing the rifle in their direction. In response to the perceived threat to their lives, the officers fired their weapons, striking Lujan. He died at the scene of the encounter.
An obituary described Arcenio A. Lujan Jr. as a lifetime resident of nearby Rociada, New Mexico, and a married father of two. A 1983 graduate of Robertson High School, he had served in the Army National Guard and was known as an experienced outdoorsman who loved the ranching life. He was a former bull rider who had competed in many rodeos. The investigation into the officer-involved shooting was ongoing, with the names of the officers involved not immediately released. There is no information available regarding any subsequent arrests or identification of other suspects.
