A Las Cruces law firm filed a wrongful death and civil rights lawsuit against the city, two Las Cruces Police officers, and the Mesilla Valley Research Dispatch Authority (MVRDA) after the 2025 death of a 28-year-old Army veteran, Jacob Garcia.
Alleged Abandonment of Suicide Call
According to the complaint, Garcia called 911 to report he was suicidal and armed, and asked the dispatcher to ‘get someone there now.’ Two Las Cruces Police Department officers, Hector Lopez and David Udero, went to Garcia’s apartment with fire and medical units, but allegedly stayed in their vehicles and told dispatch to cancel fire and ambulance units.
The lawsuit alleged the officers turned off their body cameras and left without confirming they found Garcia. The complaint also alleged MVRDA didn’t question the officers’ order and failed to re-dispatch or escalate the call after receiving a second report about Garcia’s suicidal intent 45 minutes later.
Garcia died from a gunshot wound, and the lawsuit claimed negligence, wrongful death, and violations of the New Mexico Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit asks for damages under the state’s Wrongful Death Act, Civil Rights Act, and Tort Claim Act on behalf of Garcia’s estate and family.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
