By Associated Press - Wednesday, May 3, 2017

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - Las Cruces police say it appears that a shooting in which a man inside a parked vehicle was wounded was accidental.

According to police, a 19-year-old man who is a friend of the 20-year-old man who was shot was handling a .22-caliber rifle when it accidentally discharged Tuesday night while they were in Young Park.

The 20-year-old was wounded in the back and reported in stable condition.



Police say the 19-year-old called 911 and was cooperative with police.

Police also say a 16-year-old girl who was also in the car ran off immediately after the shooting but later returned and spoke with investigators.

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