New Mexico State Police shooting in Albuquerque

Category: Non-Local News Releases Non-Local News Releases
Published: 15 July 2018 15 July 2018

Around 2:00 a.m. on July 15, 2018, a New Mexico State Police officer on patrol had conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 25 southbound near Avenida Cesar Chavez in Albuquerque, NM. The vehicle, a blue Honda sedan was stopped for speeding. During the course of the traffic stop, the officer observed that the license plate on the vehicle was not consistent with paperwork in the vehicle.
 
As the officer was conducting his investigation, he asked the driver to exit the vehicle and spoke to the driver near the officer's patrol car. The officer then returned to the Honda and began speaking to the passenger in the vehicle. As the officer was speaking to the passenger, the passenger lunged at the officer and a struggle ensued. The officer was shot in his left leg during the struggle. The officer then discharged his firearm and shot the passenger. The identity of the passenger will not be released until all appropriate notifications are made.

The passenger sustained fatal injuries in the incident. The officer was able to retreat to his vehicle and apply a tourniquet to his injured leg and subsequently detain the driver. The driver's identity will not be released as he is currently not facing charges. After, applying the tourniquet, the officer then went back to the passenger to render aid until assistance arrived. The officer was transported to the University of New Mexico hospital in stable condition and later released. Police later located a .25 caliber handgun in the Honda which was secured as evidence.
 
The Albuquerque Metro Police Shooting Taskforce (comprised of the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau, Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department, and Rio Rancho Police Department) is investigating this shooting. The details of this investigation are preliminary. The name of the officer involved and specific details of this incident will not be released until after all interviews are conducted.
 
The officer involved has been placed on standard administrative leave in accordance with DPS policy. At the end of this investigation the case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney for review. No further information is available. When more information is available it will be disseminated.
 
For all updated information, follow the New Mexico State Police on Twitter (@NMStatePolice).

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