Written by Officer Dusty Francisco 11/12/2021
Quay County, NM – On Thursday, November 11, 2021, the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau was contacted to investigate a police shooting involving the Tucumcari Police Department (TPD).
Agents learned, at approximately 4:00 p.m., Tucumcari Police officers observed Lawrence Rivas (26) of Tucumcari, NM, at the Lowes grocery store located at 105 West Tucumcari Boulevard in Tucumcari, NM. Rivas who is currently on probation was wanted for cutting off his ankle monitor and domestic violence charges. TPD officers observed Rivas get into the passenger side of a red 2012 Lincoln MKT SUV. As officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle, the vehicle fled, and a pursuit was initiated.
The vehicle pursuit ended when the Lincoln came to a stop near the intersection of 6th Street and Laughlin in Tucumcari. Rivas exited the vehicle, brandished a firearm. Rivas dropped the firearm and subsequently brandished a second firearm firing multiple shots towards the officers as he ran east into a driveway on South 6th Street. Two TPD officers returned fire at Rivas. After a short foot pursuit, Rivas was taken into custody without further incident on 6th Street.
Rivas was not struck by gunfire and no officers or bystanders were injured during the incident. Rivas was booked into the Quay County Detention Center in Tucumcari, NM. Rivas was charged with the following:
- Kidnapping in the 1st Degree (1st Degree felony)
- Abuse of a Child not Resulting in Death or Great Bodily Harm (3rd Degree felony)
- Aggravated Assault on a Peace officer – Deadly weapon (3rd Degree felony)
- Aggravated Assault on a Peace officer – Deadly weapon (3rd Degree felony)
- Aggravated Assault Against a Household Member- Deadly Weapon (4th Degree felony)
- Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer (4th Degree felony)
- Receipt, Transportation or Possession of a Firearm or Destructive Device by a Felon (4th Degree felony)
- Aggravated Battery on a Household Member (3rd Offense) (4th Degree felony)
The identification of the officers involved will not be released until interviews are completed. For information about the criminal charges, arrest warrant, and administrative actions on the officers, please contact the Tucumcari Police Department.
The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau agents work to independently determine the series of events that led up to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews. Throughout the process, investigative findings are 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.
Any available updates on this investigation will be posted online at https://www.dps.nm.gov/news-releases