LAS CRUCES — An 18-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder following a deadly road rage shooting that took the life of 14-year-old Alejandro Roman on June 2.
Las Cruces police announced the arrest of Jonathan Estrada on Thursday, initially withholding his name due to an ongoing investigation before confirming his identity hours later. Estrada was taken into custody at a business on the city’s north side, where he is reportedly employed.
The fatal incident occurred near the intersection of Solano Drive and Spruce Avenue around 9 p.m. police responded to reports of gunfire. Roman was struck while sitting in the back seat of a vehicle involved in an altercation police have linked to road rage.
According to prosecutors, the confrontation began after Estrada’s vehicle was accidentally cut off near a lane merge on N. Telshor Drive. Estrada allegedly pursued the other car, brandished a handgun, and fired five shots into the vehicle, hitting two passengers, including Roman.
Investigators tracked Estrada’s mobile phone on the night of the shooting and found evidence that he attempted to alter his vehicle’s appearance to evade detection.
Estrada now faces six felony charges, including second-degree murder, felony tampering with evidence, shooting at or from a vehicle resulting in death, shooting causing great bodily harm, and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He remains in custody without bond as prosecutors seek to keep him detained through trial. His next detention hearing is scheduled for next Friday.
While few states have specific road rage laws, data indicates a rise in gun violence related to road rage incidents. The Gun Violence Archive and Pew Research Center report increasing fatalities and injuries despite fewer overall incidents. Neighboring Utah recently enacted laws to enhance penalties and revoke driver’s licenses when road rage is involved in crimes.
