Copyright © 1990, The Austin American-Statesman

4 killed in New Mexico bowling alley robbery., 02-11-1990.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - An apparent armed robbery at a bowling alley turned into a shooting spree Saturday that left four people dead and three others wounded.

Police said the robbers forced seven people into the office of the Las Cruces Bowl and fatally shot an employee, his two young daughters and another girl before starting a fire to try to cover up the crime.

"A whole family was assassinated," said Las Cruces police Capt. Fred Rubio.

The three survivors and residents living near the bowling alley gave police a description of two gunmen, and 10 roadblocks were set up near this city of about 55,000, about 50 miles north of El Paso.

State police and U.S. Border Patrol agents joined Las Cruces police in the search.

Authorities were alerted to trouble at the bowling alley when a fire was reported at 8:33 a.m. MST, half an hour after the lanes opened, Rubio said.

Firefighters found the seven victims in the office.

"According to our preliminary investigation, they were rounded up and taken into that particular office," Rubio said. "They were concentrated in one area and shot in one area."

The robbers then started a fire in the office. "It appears it was to cover up the crime scene," he said.

Rubio said the apparent motive was robbery, "and apparently they decided to rid themselves of any witnesses."

Police did not disclose the amount of money taken.

Rubio identified the dead as Steve Turan, a bowling alley employee believed to be in his 30s, and daughters Paula Turan, 7, and Victoria Turan, 2. Another girl, Amy Houser, 13, was dead on arrival at Memorial General Hospital.

The three survivors, a 12-year-old and two people in their 30s, were hospitalized in critical condition, Rubio said.

Copyright © 1990, The Austin American-Statesman

4 killed in New Mexico bowling alley robbery., 02-11-1990.