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More information has been released and a statement from the family concerning the death of Laura McCormick as a victim of a shooting in Weed, Otero County, New Mexico.
Wednesday morning, a man walked into a local convenience store in Weed, New Mexico and shot at an employee, killing her. The suspect has since been arrested after posts by management on social media identifying the individual responsible for the shooting.
Police records show that a surveillance video showed 52-year-old Joseph Sanders of Bent, New Mexico, pulling up to a gas station at the general store called The Weed Store Wednesday morning. The alleged assailant walked inside where McCormick was working, told her “Good morning,” got coffee, talked with another customer, and even struck up a conversation with McCormick.
The nearby Mayhill Store posted images from The Weed Store’s security cameras that morning. Police say on that video, McCormick can be heard telling Sanders to go pump his gas so she can ring him up. Sanders walked in and out of the store a couple of times, then returned to the counter and pulled out a gun. There was a scuffle before police said the video showed Sanders shooting McCormick two times, then fleeing.
A member of Mccormick’s family said to KRQE Channel 13 News that this tragedy has rippled through their tight knit community. “These communities they’re not tied together formally but they’re tied together and it’s like you cut off a big chunk out of the heart of the community,” said Susan Sweeney, McCormick’s aunt.
According to court documents, the suspect shot 34-year-old Laura McCormick two times. News 13 spoke to the victim’s family who said the news was devastating. “It’s incomprehensible to try and figure out why something that seems so evil and unnecessary to really lovely people,” continued Susan Sweeney.
52-year-old Joseph Sanders was quickly arrested by New Mexico State Police about five miles away from the store.
Otero County Sheriff David Black's Office stated that Sanders is being held at the Otero County Detention Center. The 12th Judicial District District Attorney will be filing charges of murder, unlawful taking of a vehicle and tampering with evidence.
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