Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 11/01/2021
This update gives additional details that led up to the shooting. For the identity of the officer involved please contact the Roswell Police Department.
Roswell, NM- On Monday, October 4, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate an officer-involved shooting involving the Roswell Police Department (RPD).
Agents learned that at around 7:00 p.m., the Roswell Police Department and the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Daniel Cobos (37) of Roswell, NM. An arrest warrant was issued for Cobos, who had previously escaped custody from the Chaves County Detention Center on Sunday, October 3, 2021, which led to a multi-agency search. During the investigation, officers learned Cobos was at a residence located at 2205 Portales Road northeast of the city limits of Roswell, NM. When officers arrived at the residence, they observed Cobos armed with a knife on the roof of the residence. Cobos jumped off the roof and barricaded himself inside the residence. The RPD SWAT Team responded to the scene. As the SWAT Team attempted to negotiate a safe surrender, Cobos ignored their attempts and refused to exit the residence.
As RPD SWAT Team members entered the residence they encountered Cobos armed with a knife and an airsoft rifle. Cobos pointed the rifle at officers. Two RPD officers discharged their department-issued tasers at Cobos striking him. At the same time, a RPD officer who was standing outside the residence near a window discharged his department-issued firearm towards Cobos at least once after he observed Cobos point the rifle at the officers entering the residence. Cobos was not struck by gunfire. He was taken into custody without further incident.
No officers were injured during the incident. For questions regarding the identity and administrative actions of the officer involved, please contact the Roswell Police Department.
Cobos was transported to an area hospital where he was treated and released for injuries he received from the taser. Cobos was booked into the Chaves County Detention Center on an Escape from Jail charge.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings will be shared with the district attorney for their review and consideration.
The New Mexico State Police acts solely as factfinders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters. That decision rests with the district attorney’s office.
This incident remains under investigation by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.