Josiah Perrault Shooting; 18-Year-Old Josiah Perrault Dead, Another Injured Near Lynn Middle School
On the morning of Thursday, May 8, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in the 900 block of Walnut Street in Las Cruces, New Mexico, resulting in the death of 18-year-old Josiah Perrault and non-life-threatening injuries to another man.
The shooting occurred around 6:30 a.m., near Lynn Middle School, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement and the Officer-involved Incident Task Force (OIITF), which includes investigators from the Las Cruces Police Department, New Mexico State Police, Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State University Police.
According to the Las Cruces Police Department, the officer involved in the shooting was not injured and has been placed on paid administrative leave, a standard procedure in such cases .
While the investigation is ongoing, details about the events leading up to the shooting remain limited. A local resident reported hearing several loud gunshots, followed by the sound of a car speeding away, but did not initially think much of it due to frequent gunfire in the area .
Although the incident did not occur on the Lynn Middle School campus, a portion of Walnut Street in front of the school was closed to traffic during the investigation. The school adjusted its operations by directing bus and parent drop-offs to the northwest side near the gymnasium, accessible via Nevada Avenue .
