Woman shot inside Las Cruces Planet Fitness; suspect in custody

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A gym employee was shot Tuesday in Las Cruces.

It happened at the Planet Fitness on El Paseo Road around 8 a.m.

Police said a 29-year-old woman who works at the gym was shot.

She suffered at least one gunshot wound.

Her injuries are considered non-life-threatening and has since been released from the hospital.

She was taken to Mountainview Regional Medical Center.

Police took the shooting suspect, 28-year-old Jose Chavez, into custody nearby.

Investigators learned Chavez was a member of the gym in 2020 but had his membership canceled in June 2020 due to repeated complaints regarding his gym attire.

The victim in Tuesday’s shooting told detectives she was working at the counter when Chavez walked in, threw a boot at her and then fired one round. The round struck the left side of the woman’s abdomen. When Chavez was detained by police, he was not wearing shoes or boots.

Witnesses also told investigators that Chavez dropped a handgun on the sidewalk just east of the Planet Fitness building. The firearm was recovered by police and was determined to be a 9mm handgun.

Chavez is facing a capital attempt murder charge, according to jail records and is being held without bond.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Planet Fitness and the parking lot near the gym were temporarily closed while police were on scene.

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