Lujan Garces Obituary, Death – Las Cruces Public Schools have confirmed that the victim in the fatal shooting earlier this month on West Picacho Avenue was a school bus driver for the district. The deceased was identified as Juan Javier Lujan Garces, who worked for STS New Mexico, a company that provides school bus services for the district.
The Las Cruces Police Department had previously named Lujan Garces as the victim involved in the shooting incident. According to authorities, police officers responded to the scene and discovered Lujan Garces inside his vehicle with at least one gunshot wound. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Following the incident, law enforcement quickly launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of a suspect. Police identified the individual taken into custody as Pancho Garcia. Garcia has been arrested in connection with the shooting, though details regarding the motive or any potential relationship between the suspect and victim have not yet been released.
Las Cruces Public Schools expressed condolences over the tragic loss of their transportation worker and emphasized the role Lujan Garces played in safely transporting students to and from school. The district acknowledged the incident as a shocking and saddening event for both the school community and local residents.
The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing as police continue to gather evidence and interview witnesses. Further updates are expected as the case develops and authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting.