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On Thursday, October 12, 2023, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau (IB) was requested by the Artesia Police Department (APD) to investigate an officer-involved shooting incident that occurred outside the Artesia Public Safety Complex, located at 3300 W. Main Street in Artesia, New Mexico.
IB agents from Alamogordo responded to the scene and began their investigation. Initial findings revealed that an APD Sergeant discharged one round from his duty weapon at a male individual, later identified as Acadio Lucero, after observing Lucero actively shooting at another male, identified as Mark Rommel.
Through interviews and evidence gathered at the scene, agents determined that the incident stemmed from a planned child custody exchange between Mr. Rommel and his estranged female partner. The female was accompanied by her boyfriend, Mr. Lucero, who had armed himself prior to the meeting.
Witness statements indicated that Mr. Rommel and Mr. Lucero engaged in a brief, non-hostile conversation before Lucero retrieved his firearm and began firing multiple rounds at Mr. Rommel.
During his interview with investigators, Mr. Lucero admitted to deliberately arming himself and firing at Mr. Rommel. The investigation confirmed that Mr. Rommel was unarmed at the time of the shooting. As Mr. Lucero continued firing at Mr. Rommel, the APD Sergeant intervened, and fired a single round that struck Mr. Lucero, stopping the attack.
The 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office approved an arrest warrant for Mr. Lucero on charges of First-Degree Murder. He was taken into custody on November 2, 2023, and booked into the Eddy County Detention Center.
A four-day jury trial began on June 2, 2025, at the Eddy County District Court in Carlsbad, NM. The trial concluded with the jury finding Mr. Lucero guilty of First-Degree Murder. He was immediately sentenced to Life in Prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
This case was thoroughly investigated by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau, with assistance from the New Mexico State Police Crime Scene Team.
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