safety
Mother fatally shot while stopping son's suicide attempt in Las Cruces
By Jamel Valencia and Jocelyn Flores at KTSM 9 News (NBC)
· July 2, 2026
· 1 min read
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- A 32-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly attempted to take his life with a gun, but his mother intervened, according to the Las Cruces Police Department Lawrence Lopez is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, a fourth-degree...
Key takeaway EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- A 32-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly attempted to take his life with a gun, but his mother intervened, according to the Las Cruces Police Department Lawrence Lopez is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, a fourth-degree felony.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The tragic incident in Las Cruces raises concerns about the availability of mental health resources in the border region. While the case is still being investigated, it highlights the desperate measures individuals may take when struggling with their mental well-being. The fact that a son felt compelled to attempt suicide and a mother lost her life trying to prevent it is a stark reminder of the need for accessible and effective support systems. As El Paso County continues to grow and face its own set of challenges, it is crucial that local authorities and organizations prioritize mental health initiatives and ensure that residents have access to the help they need. This incident may prompt a re-examination of existing resources and spark a conversation about how to better support those struggling with mental health issues in the community.
About this story
Original reporting by KTSM 9 News (NBC) . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KTSM 9 News (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 2, 2026 ·
Source: KTSM 9 News (NBC) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- A 32-year-old man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly attempted to take his life with a gun, but his mother intervened, according to the Las Cruces Police Department Lawrence Lopez is facing an involuntary manslaughter charge, a fourth-degree...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 2, 2026 by KTSM 9 News (NBC) and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jamel Valencia and Jocelyn Flores at KTSM 9 News (NBC). To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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