COLUMBUS, N.M. – The man being sought in connection with a shooting in Columbus that left a man dead is now in custody after a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer working at the Columbus port of entry recognized the suspect while he was attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico.
“The vigilance and attention to detail demonstrated by the CBP Officer prevented this person from gaining entry,” said CBP Columbus Port Director Tony Hall. “CBP officers frequently encounter wanted people and taking them into custody makes our communities safer.”
CBP officers were performing an enforcement operation early Wednesday evening when a CBP officer spotted 35-year-old Jesus Jose Lopez and recognized him as the man being sought in an April 9 shooting in Columbus. The man was taken into custody without incident. He had no identifying documents.
CBP officers performed a query and received notification that the man had an outstanding warrant. The Luna County Sheriff’s Department was contacted and took the subject into custody.
