New Mexico man faces federal firearms charge after firing rounds at Catholic church
Caroline MolloyA man accused of firing five rounds at a Catholic church in Las Cruces, New Mexico, earlier this year is now facing a federal firearms charge, prosecutors announced Aug. 3.
Matthew Albain Alarcon, 40, of Las Cruces allegedly opened fire at the front entrance of St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church May 4 before leaving the scene in a black sedan, according to an Aug. 3 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Because Alarcon has a prior New Mexico felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition and has since been charged in federal court for possessing both.
Officers responding to the church found five bullet holes in its front glass entrance and recovered .380-caliber shell casings. The release did not report any injuries.
Police identified Alarcon after the same vehicle was reported at the scene of an attempted burglary at a Las Cruces business May 11. A subsequent search of the sedan led to the recovery of a handgun.
