14-year-old in back seat killed in suspected road rage shooting, NM cops say
Someone killed a 14-year-old boy in a suspected road rage shooting in New Mexico, police said, and they’re looking for help identifying the shooter.
Alejandro Roman was shot and killed June 2 while riding in the back seat of a vehicle, Las Cruces Police said in a June 17 post on Facebook.
Someone fired at the vehicle, hitting and killing the teen, after what investigators believe was a road rage incident “between occupants of the two” cars, according to police.
Alejandro died at the scene, city officials said.
Police released a video and photos of the of the white midsize SUV they believe the shooter was driving.
It’s believed a man was driving and was alone in the vehicle, police said.
Up to $7,000 in reward money is being offered in the case, police said.
Alejandro’s aunt, Maria Garcia, told KFOX 14 that the teen “always had a smile on his face, (was) always supportive of everybody” and “always gave you a hug and never left the house without telling you he loved you.”
The 14-year-old also was into cars, Garcia told the outlet, which reported — citing police — that Alejandro was carrying Hot Wheels toys with him when he was killed.
Police said the driver may have changed his behavior in the days since the deadly shooting, including concealing the vehicle, skipping work or otherwise staying of public view, and asking about the incident “or frequently checking social media for updates.”
People who recognize “these behaviors in a neighbor, coworker or person they know — and that person drives or has access to a vehicle like what’s described above — is asked to share information with investigators to help solve this crime,” police said.
Las Cruces is about a 185-mile drive southwest from Roswell.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM with the headline "14-year-old in back seat killed in suspected road rage shooting, NM cops say."
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