Las Cruces Man, 36, Booked on Murder Charge Following Swat Standoff

Allegedly... Pancho Jr Garcia, 36, of Las Cruces, was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on June 10, 2025. Garcia faces felony charges including first-degree murder and failure to register as a sex offender. He is currently being held without bond following his arrest by local authorities at 2155 W Picacho. According to news and court records, the murder charge stems from the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Juan Javier Lujan Garces near West Picacho Avenue and North 17th Street. Reports indicate the victim, a local school bus driver, was shot while driving past the area. Garcia allegedly barricaded himself inside a motel room, leading to a standoff with a SWAT team before he was taken into custody. Police records also noted that Garcia was a registered sex offender who had failed to update his required registration information. The charges are allegations, and Garcia is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.