Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 07/09/2021
This update identifies the deputies involved and gives additional details that led up to the shooting.
Chaves County, NM – On Sunday, June 27, 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 that at approximately 5:00 p.m., CCSO responded to 910 North Washington in Roswell, NM for a domestic involving a firearm between a male and female in a vehicle. The male, who was identified as Oscar Najera (25) of Roswell, NM, drove away in the vehicle. CCSO Deputy Raul Ramos, who responded to assist, located the described vehicle parked unattended at a Stripes gas station, located at 2600 West Street in Roswell. Deputy Ramos observed a male matching the description of Najera exit the vehicle and walk away. While searching the area, another CCSO deputy located Najera walking behind a residence near 404 Evergreen Street. Najera fled on foot from the deputy ran after him. During the foot pursuit, a CCSO deputy discharged his department issued Taser, which was unsuccessful.
At that time, Deputy Ramos and CCSO Deputy Ricardo Delgado, who were searching for Najera on foot, got into Deputy Ramos’s department issued patrol vehicle and they both drove towards 504 Evergreen Avenue. As Najera ran towards the front of a residence at 504 Evergreen Avenue, he was met by Deputy Ramos and Deputy Delgado. The deputies drew their department issued firearms and gave numerous verbal commands to Najera. While attempting to take Najera into custody, deputies stated Najera reached towards his waistband in a threatening manner and appeared as if he was reaching for an unknown object. At the point, Deputy Ramos and Deputy Delgado stated they feared for their lives and they both fired their department issued firearms towards Najera at least once, striking him. Both deputies immediately rendered aid and called for emergency medical personnel. Najera sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene by the Office of the Medical Investigator. During a search of the vehicle at the Stripes gas station, a handgun was located in the vehicle.
Deputy Raul Ramos has been employed with the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office for approximately 2 years and Deputy Ricardo Delgado for approximately 10 months. For information regarding the domestic and administrative inquiries regarding the deputies, please reach out to CCSO. Upon completion of the State Police investigation this case will be forwarded to an assigned district attorney’s office for review.