The suspect in Sunday morning’s incident on Lees Drive has been charged with a felony for allegedly pointing a firearm at a law enforcement officer.
Charles R. Campolla, 34, of the 1300 block of Lees Drive, is charged with one count of aggravated assault upon a peace officer. The charge is a third-degree felony.
About 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 23, Las Cruces police were dispatched to the report of a domestic disturbance at Campolla’s home that he shares with his girlfriend and her teenage daughter. The teen daughter reported that Campolla was armed with a pistol and was threatening others.
Three Las Cruces police officers arrived to find Campolla barefoot and outside the home. The officers gave multiple commands for Campolla to show his hands but he refused to do so.
At some point, Campolla is believed to have pointed a gun at one of the officers. An officer fired at least one round at Campolla as the suspect ducked in front of the vehicle parked in the driveway.
Campolla was not struck and was subsequently taken into custody. No injuries were reported. The black handgun Campolla was armed with was located by investigators in the front, driver’ side tire well of the vehicle that was parked in the driveway.
Campolla was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is initially being held without bond.
The officer who discharged his weapon was placed on administrative leave which is standard protocol for such an incident.
The Officer-involved Incident Task Force is investigation the shooting. The task force includes investigators from New Mexico State Police, Las Cruces Police, the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State University Police.
Information from Las Cruces Police