⏱ 3 min read
A gas station in Las Cruces turned into a deadly showdown when a 29-year-old Egyptian national pointed a handgun at a customer on May 12, 2025. Moustafa Mahmoud Abdelnabi Salem chambered a round and pulled the trigger, but fortunately for the victim, he didn’t pull the trigger.
The victim flagged down a Las Cruces Police officer, who arrived to find Salem still at the scene. But Salem had a different story to tell – he claimed the victim had assaulted him with a large knife and denied pointing a gun at him.
But Salem’s alibi fell apart when the officer reviewed security footage from the gas station, which showed him to be the aggressor. Salem refused to let the officer retrieve his handgun from his vehicle, leading the officer to believe there was an issue with the firearm.
Further investigation revealed that Salem was in the US illegally, having overstayed his visitor visa. On top of that, he was now facing federal charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Salem pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. After his release, he’ll face deportation back to Egypt.
Related Federal Cases
- Deandre Lamont Brown, Domestic Intimate Partner Assault, New Mexico · Puerto Rico
- Cornelia Tom Tapaha, DUI Assault with Vehicle, New Mexico · New Mexico
- Gary Begay, Assault with a Deadly Bottle, New Mexico 2015 · New Mexico
- Patrick Yazzie-Tso, Violent Assault, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Terrell Ray Antonio, Vehicular Assault, New Mexico 2016 · New Mexico
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New Mexico
- Location: NM
- Source: DOJ Press Release
