by Las Cruces, New Mexico — A quiet residential street in Las Cruces became the scene of a tragic and complex standoff last week after a young caregiver and performer was fatally shot inside a home, while the suspected gunman later died by suicide after barricading himself inside the residence, police said.
Authorities confirmed the victim was Desirae Martin, a 29-year-old singer, actress, and caregiver whose death has left family, friends, and the local arts community reeling.
Shooting Reported Friday Afternoon
According to the Las Cruces Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 1100 block of Berkshire Court around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, December 19, after receiving a report of a shooting inside a home.
When officers arrived, they learned that a 38-year-old male suspect had barricaded himself inside the residence. Police said the situation quickly escalated into a standoff, prompting the activation of specialized units.
SWAT and Negotiators Deployed
LCPD officials said SWAT, hostage negotiation, and K-9 teams were deployed in an effort to make contact with the suspect and resolve the situation peacefully.
“The suspect barricaded himself inside the home,” police said in a news release. “Attempts were made to establish contact, but those efforts were unsuccessful.”
After approximately three hours, SWAT officers entered the home and found the suspect dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
Victim Identified as Desirae Martin
On Tuesday, December 23, authorities publicly identified the victim as Desirae Martin, according to local media reports.
Family members said Martin had been working inside the home as a caregiver at the time of the shooting. Loved ones described her presence there as an extension of who she was — someone dedicated to helping others.
“That’s what she wanted to do, is help people,” her father, Johnny Martin, said. “That’s why she was working at that house. She was just being her.”
Remembered for Talent and Kindness
In a GoFundMe created by her cousin, Adri Florez, Martin was remembered as a “talented singer and actress” with a magnetic personality.
“She could light up a room just by walking in,” Florez wrote. “She was beautiful, caring, and selfless, always putting others before herself.”
Florez said Martin had a deep love for Alice in Wonderland, finding joy and inspiration in its whimsical themes — a reflection of her creative spirit and warmth.
Active in Theater and the Arts
Martin was a graduate of Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, and had become involved in the Las Cruces theater scene, where she performed as both a singer and actress.
In addition to her artistic pursuits, she worked as a caregiver — a role her family says aligned closely with her desire to make a difference in people’s lives.
She had been planning to travel back to Salt Lake City to spend Christmas with her family just days after the shooting.
Read Also: Mother Arrested After Body of Missing 9-Year-Old Melodee Buzzard Found in Utah
Family Seeks Answers
As they grieve, Martin’s family is also demanding answers about how the situation unfolded.
“She was a shooting star. She really was,” her father said. “That was her goal in life, was to help other people.”
Johnny Martin also questioned how the circumstances that led to his daughter’s death were allowed to exist.
“I want to know how a mentally ill person was able to live in that home and put my daughter in that position,” he said. “And where did he get a gun?”
Fundraiser Aims to Bring Her Home
The GoFundMe organized by Florez is intended to help bring Desirae home to Utah, cover funeral expenses, and support the family as they navigate their loss.
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional details may be released as authorities continue reviewing the incident.
For now, Desirae Martin is being remembered not for how her life ended, but for how brightly she lived — as an artist, a caregiver, and a young woman devoted to helping others.
What are your thoughts on how caregiver safety can be better protected in high-risk situations? Share your perspective in the comments below.
