Individual from Las Cruces apprehended following alleged attempt of "police-assisted suicide"
In the wake of a recent incident in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where 21-year-old Dominic Martinez emerged from an apartment with a replica BB gun resembling a 9mm pistol, authorities are highlighting the need for improved mental health interventions and support systems.
Martinez, who was charged with aggravated assault on a peace officer using a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and assault on a household member, admitted he wanted police officers to kill him. The first officer arrived at the scene one minute after dispatch and heard yelling from inside the apartment. Martinez was not hit by the gunfire, but the officer drew his weapon and fired four or five shots.
The incident underscores gaps in the system, particularly in mental health care, as stated by Story during a news conference. Authorities are investigating the shooting incident, with a task force including officers from LCPD, New Mexico State Police, Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office, and New Mexico State University police.
Prosecutors argue that Martinez poses a threat to public safety due to his attempts to provoke police into using deadly force. At a pretrial detention hearing, they plan to seek a grand jury indictment. Martinez is currently held at the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bond.
Martinez's mother filed a domestic violence petition the following day, and Dona Ana County Magistrate Judge Rebecca Duffin issued a temporary restraining order barring Martinez from having contact with his mother. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.
However, the incident has sparked concern about the lack of intervention opportunities to address Martinez's escalating cycle of violence and suicidal tendencies. To address this, Las Cruces and New Mexico are expanding their mental health resources.
BHC Mesilla Valley Hospital in Las Cruces offers comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including inpatient and outpatient care. Their dual diagnosis program uses evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), both effective for managing suicidal ideation and crises. They also have family involvement programs and specialized care for veterans and active-duty service members, which may help in early crisis intervention.
New Mexico’s recent behavioral health care reforms include establishing regional behavioral health crisis centers and improving coordination between the state’s judicial and health systems. These centers provide urgent mental health support and may intervene in high-risk scenarios to de-escalate potential violence, including suicide by cop.
Community-based support systems such as support groups covering coping skills, addiction education, and lifestyle management are also available in Las Cruces. Early intervention and family health services like MECA Therapies address child and adolescent mental health and developmental challenges, which can be preventative by reducing long-term mental health crises that may culminate in emergency situations.
Broader behavioral health services, including crisis and substance use treatment, are facilitated by regional centers and clinics funded through programs like the New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Rural Health Care Delivery Fund. These centers provide community-based behavioral health support, which can help individuals before crises escalate to violent encounters.
For immediate crisis intervention, individuals and families in Las Cruces can contact mental health facilities like BHC Mesilla Valley Hospital or local crisis centers linked to state programs. Engaging these services early can introduce de-escalation techniques and therapeutic support critical for suicide prevention in situations that might otherwise escalate to law enforcement involvement.
[1] BHC Mesilla Valley Hospital: https://www.bhcmvh.org/ [2] New Mexico Behavioral Health Care Reforms: https://www.nmstateleg.gov/legislation/legis/2025_session/bills/HB/HB0069.html [3] Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/las-cruces-nm [4] MECA Therapies: https://www.mecatherapies.com/ [5] Southwest Counseling Center: https://www.swcounselingcenter.org/
- The incident in Las Cruces, New Mexico, underscores the urgent need for improved mental health interventions and support systems, particularly in the light of gaps in mental health care as highlighted by authorities.
- To address the lack of intervention opportunities for individuals with escalating cycles of violence and suicidal tendencies, Las Cruces and New Mexico are expanding their mental health resources, including BHC Mesilla Valley Hospital, which offers comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
- Engaging mental health facilities like BHC Mesilla Valley Hospital early can introduce de-escalation techniques and therapeutic support critical for suicide prevention, reducing the likelihood of emergency situations and law enforcement involvement.
