String of drive-bys reported in Dona Ana County - KVIA.com El Paso, Las Cruces

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Law enforcement in Dona Ana County are on high alert after six drive-by shootings in the past five days.

The Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office and Las Cruces Police Department are working together. They say there could be a connection among all the drive-by shootings, but that has not been confirmed.

The first shooting happened Thursday near the 5000 block of Mesa. On Friday shots were fired at a home on Madrid Avenue.

Saturday there were drive-bys on Thompson in Berino and on Jornada in Las Cruces. Then there were two more in broad daylight just after 11:30 a.m. on Monday -- one near Moon Gate and El Centro, then another on Ventura Circle.

Investigators believe the shootings may stem from Thursday's deadly drive-by.

Twenty-one-year-old Jacob Gutierrez died at Thomason Hospital after he was shot in the chest. Investigators are still following leads.

A Dona Ana County spokesman said the 18-year-old involved in Saturday's drive-by is in stable condition and expected to survive.

It is still not clear if this incident is related to the others. Las Cruces police have arrested and charged three men allegedly involved in Friday's drive-by shooting. Sheriff's investigators said they do have certain gang members under surveillance.

Both Dona Ana County Sheriff's and police investigators urge anyone with any information on any of these drive-by shootings to call 911 or (575) 526-0795. You can remain anonymous.

By ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Veronique Masterson

Written for KVIA.com by Web Producer Annette Arrigucci