Las Cruces reaches $20 million settlement with family of woman shot by officer

LAS CRUCES, NM (KFOX14/CBS4) — The City of Las Cruces has agreed to a $20 million settlement in a civil lawsuit filed by the family of Teresa Gomez, who died after being shot by former Las Cruces police officer Felipe Hernandez.

Teresa Gomez, 45, was killed in the early hours of October 3, 2023.

Following the incident, the Las Cruces Police Department determined there was probable cause to charge Hernandez with second-degree murder.

A criminal complaint was filed against him on January 9, 2024.

The City of Las Cruces stated that the seriousness of the actions warranted charges against Hernandez.

Hernandez was arrested in January 2024 and charged with second-degree murder.

He was relieved of his duties in May 2024 and no longer works for the city.

The Las Cruces City Council met in closed session to finalize terms of the settlement, making it the city’s largest settlement in a civil case.

An ordinance approving the financing of the settlement will be presented to the City Council in January 2025.

Hernandez’s criminal trial is set to begin on June 2, 2025.

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