Las Cruces Police Department Identifies Individual Fatally Shot in Officer-Involved Incident
The Las Cruces Police Department has formally identified the individual fatally shot by an officer during an incident that unfolded on the morning of May 8, 2025. Authorities confirmed the deceased as 18-year-old Josiah Perrault, a resident of Las Cruces. The shooting took place at approximately 6:30 a.m. in the 900 block of Walnut Street, prompting a rapid response from emergency services and law enforcement.
Details surrounding the circumstances that led to the officer-involved shooting remain limited at this time. The Las Cruces Police Department and the City of Las Cruces have not disclosed whether Perrault was armed or what actions specifically preceded the use of deadly force. The department has indicated that a comprehensive investigation is currently underway, which is standard protocol for any officer-involved shooting.
In addition to Perrault, a second male individual was reportedly involved in the incident. According to the official statement released by city officials, this second individual sustained injuries during the encounter but is expected to survive. He was transported to a local hospital, where he is receiving treatment for what have been described as non-life-threatening injuries. His identity has not yet been made public, and it is unclear what role he may have played in the events leading up to the shooting.
As is customary in officer-involved shootings, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. The department has not released the officer’s name or details regarding how long they have been with the force.
This incident has sparked concern and curiosity within the Las Cruces community, where residents are calling for transparency and accountability. Community leaders and advocacy groups have begun to voice calls for a thorough and impartial investigation. The City of Las Cruces has assured the public that it will cooperate fully with any external oversight and will release further information as it becomes available.
In the meantime, the New Mexico State Police, along with internal affairs units within the Las Cruces Police Department, are expected to conduct parallel investigations. These inquiries typically include a review of body-worn camera footage, witness statements, forensic evidence, and officer reports.
The family of Josiah Perrault has not yet released a public statement, but community members have begun organizing vigils and memorials in his honor. Friends and neighbors have described Perrault as a young man with a future ahead of him, and news of his death has sent shockwaves through the local high school community and beyond.
The unfolding investigation will likely take several weeks or even months before conclusions are drawn. In the interim, the Las Cruces Police Department urges the public to remain patient and allow investigators to conduct a full review of the facts. They have committed to sharing updates as they become available and emphasized the importance of upholding justice and due process.
More information is expected in the coming days as investigators work to piece together a clearer picture of what transpired that morning on Walnut Street.