Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 04/26/2021
This update identifies the deputy involved and additional details that led up to the shooting.
Chaves County, NM – On Sunday, March 21, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a police shooting involving the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO).
Investigators learned on March 21, 2021, at approximately 7:19 p.m., CCSO deputies attempted to serve two arrest warrants on a wanted person identified as Sergio Gutierrez Chairez (31), at his residence of 6400 Shadow Road in Midway, NM. As deputies arrived at the residence, they observed Chairez outside. Deputies were unable to enter the property due to the property being fenced off with a locked gate. A search warrant was obtained, and deputies entered the property. Once deputies entered the property, Chairez barricaded himself inside a semi-truck parked at the residence. Deputies gave numerous verbal commands to Chairez to exit the semi-truck and surrender peacefully. Chairez ignored the commands and refused to exit the vehicle.
Deputies made entry into the semi-truck. Upon entry, Chairez barricaded himself further in the rear cab of the semi-truck. Deputies observed Chairez lying down and facing up with a rifle located next to him. Deputies gave numerous verbal commands to Chairez, which he continued to ignore. A deputy deployed his department issued taser towards Chairez. Deputies observed Chairez reach for, and pick up, the rifle next to him. Chairez pointed the rifle towards the deputies and Deputy Samuel Lueras fired his department issued handgun towards Chairez at least once, striking him.
Chairez was treated by emergency medical personnel who were staged on scene. Chairez sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator.
Deputy Samuel Lueras has a total of 7 ½ years of previous law enforcement experience with another agency and he has been employed with the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 3 months. No deputies were injured in the incident. For information regarding the arrest warrants and the administrative action on the deputy, please contact CCSO. Upon completion of the State Police investigation this case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.